Image credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Ferdinand Omanyala: All Speed, No Brakes!If you thought Kenya was about long-distance running, Ferdinand Omanyala just sprinted over that stereotype. The African 100m record holder took to the Absa Kip Keino Classic at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, like a cheetah on the Serengeti.
Omanyala powered through the finish line in 9.84 seconds, leaving some notable names in the dust. Kenneth Bednarek, the Olympic and world 200m silver medallist, had to settle for a season best 9.98 seconds and second place, while world 100m silver medallist Marvin Bracy-Williams came in third at a season-best 10.03 second.
Omanyala's victory earned him the world lead time and met the World Championships qualifying entry standard of 10.00 seconds. While he fell short of his promise to break his own Africa record time of 9.77, set in 2021, he's got his eyes set on the next prize: the Rabat Diamond League on May 28 in Morocco, where he'll be facing off against Olympic 100m champ Marcel Jacobs and world 100m champ Fred Kerle.
In his own words, "No one will beat me in 100m this season." With his confidence as high as his speed, Omanyala is a force to be reckoned with as he builds momentum toward the World Championships in August. Get ready, Hungary; Omanyala is coming in hot!
