In a stunning upset at the Continental Tour Gold 2025 in Nairobi, Italy’s Martina Rizzo blazed to victory in the women’s 100m, defeating a stacked field of favorites and firmly placing herself on the global sprinting map. The 22-year-old sprinter clocked a personal best of 10.91 seconds, edging out pre-race favorite and reigning world bronze medalist Asha Thompson of Jamaica, who finished second in 10.94 seconds.
Rizzo’s victory was unexpected not just because of her relatively low international profile, but also due to the caliber of competition. The women’s 100m lineup included seasoned stars from the U.S., Jamaica, and Nigeria — all ranked in the top 10 globally. However, Rizzo showed no signs of intimidation, executing a flawless start and maintaining a strong drive phase through the line.
“I came here with nothing to lose,” Rizzo said in the post-race interview. “I’ve been training hard all winter, and I knew I had a good race in me — I just didn’t know it would be today.”
Her triumph electrified the Kenyan crowd at the Kasarani Stadium, who cheered as the Italian raised her arms in disbelief after crossing the line. This win marks Rizzo’s first major international title and shaves nearly a tenth of a second off her previous personal best of 11.00, set earlier this season in Rome.
Asha Thompson, who had been unbeaten in 2025 until this race, was gracious in defeat. “Martina ran a great race. It caught me off guard, but that’s what happens in sprinting. It only takes one perfect race to change everything.”
Third place went to Blessing Okon of Nigeria, who also dipped under the 11-second mark with a season-best 10.98. The result pushes all three medalists into strong contention for the upcoming World Championships, with Rizzo now viewed as a serious contender in Paris later this summer.
The women’s 100m at the Continental Tour Gold event has often been a preview of breakout stars, and Rizzo’s win continues that trend. With confidence and momentum on her side, she’ll now face the challenge of consistency — and the pressure that comes with being the one to beat.
But for now, Martina Rizzo is savoring the moment: the upset victory that made her a household name overnight.
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