Kenya’s 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala says it can only get better after making a successful debut at the Diamond League on Friday.

 The fastest man in the country and joint second-fastest African alongside Namibian legend Frankie Fredericks but behind Commonwealth champion Akani Simbine of South Africa is now eyeing more appearances at the Diamond League. 

Having finished fourth at the Van Damme Memorial in Brussels, Omanyala’s next stop will be at the Zagreb’s World Athletics Continental Gold Tour on September 14 in Croatia before the Kip Keino Classic on September 18 in Nairobi.

“I am living my dream right now,” remarked Omanyala.

“The Diamond League is what every athlete dreams about. Yes you can go to the World Championships or even the Olympics but the Diamond League is not for all.

So getting here is what I have been dreaming about. Yes, the Olympics has contributed to this dream,” added Omanyala 

In Brussels, Omanyala was ranked as the best African, beating the likes of Simbine and Ivorian Arthur Cisse.

“I think the race was slower than we all expected though I feel like I should have done better and finished in the top three in under 10 seconds,” he said.

Omanyala clocked 10.02 seconds, losing the race to Americans, who swept the first three places in sub-10 seconds with Tokyo Olympics 100m silver medallist Fred Kerley calling the shots in 9.94.

Trayvon Bromell, world leader with 9.77, and Michael Norman timed 9.97 and 9.98 to settle second and third respectively as Omanyala beat among others Simbine, who finished fourth in 100m at Tokyo Olympics. 

At the Kip Keino Classic meeting, Omanyala will be up against  Kerley among other big stars.

It was the third time  Omanyala was facing Kerley in the last one month, he promised the fourth one would be even special.

“I want to show him who the man is on home turf. He is a top guy but I want to work hard to emerge victorious on home soil on September 18,” noted Omanyala who faced Kerley in Tokyo in the first round and the semi-finals.

After the Kip Keino he has set his  eyes on the Africa Championships, the Commonwealth Games and  World Championships next year. By Amos Abuga, PD Online