1. Kenyan sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala reacts after winning the 100m race at the Kip Keino Classic on Saturday. 2. Omanyala does a lap of honour at Kasarani during the opening ceremny. 3. Fans cheer up local athletes at Kasarani. 4. President William Ruto congratulates Ferdinand Omanyala for winning the 100m race. PD/ DAVID NDOLO
Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala has shifted focus to the World Athletics Championship after he raced to the 100m victory at the Kip Keino Classic on Saturday.
The 27-year-old Omanyala who is also the Commonwealth champion, brought down the roof at Kasarani Stadium with a scintillating display to leave President William Ruto out of his seat and cruise to an emphatic victory in a time of 9.84 seconds.
Ruto had just walked into the venue for the third event when Omanyala was warming up in readiness for the race and the athlete did not disappoint as he outwitted America’s Kenneth Bednarek and Marvin Bracy-Williams, who came second and third in 9.98 seconds and 10.03 respectively.
“It feels great I have managed to win in front of such a huge crowd [at home] and feels even better to set the world lead in such an atmosphere,” said Omanyala.
“I am now focused on my next assignment in the Rabat Diamond League and I know it will not be a walk in the park. So I must get ready if I have to win there [in Morocco] but of course, I will give my best to come home with victory.
During the event in Morocco on May 28, Omanyala is set to come face to face with Italy and Olympic 100m champion Marcel Jacobs and world 100m champion Fred Kerley of the USA.
Though his next assignment will be in Rabat, Omanyala was keen to mention the World Athletic Championship scheduled for Budapest, Hungary, from August 19 to 27, where he promised a podium finish.
“I know I have the Diamond League in Rabat coming up but my ultimate goal for now is the World Championship, I am eager to take part in the event and I want to promise a podium finish, I will do my best.”
Omanyala, who won his first Kip Keino Classic race in 2022 after beating Fred Kerley of the USA, received his award from President Ruto.
“It was good to have President Ruto in the stadium, he has pushed us to do well and we thank the fans too for turning out in large numbers,” added Omanyala.
Last week, Omanyala, who is Africa’s fastest man, set a new African and State record in Atlanta City Games in Georgia, USA, after clocking 14.89 seconds in the 150m race.
Meanwhile, Terry ‘Tee Tee’ Twanisha of USA cruised to the tape in 10.86 seconds to win the cutthroat women’s 100m race at Kasarani.
The 4x100m relay world champion who was making her debut in the competition said: “It’s amazing having won in Nairobi and I’ll be heading back home for more preparations.
“The season has started and I will be taking part in all the meets, to shape my form.”
Zoe Hobbs of Newzealand was second in 10.97 as Rani Rosius of Belgium bagged third place in 11.08.
The category was won last season by double Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica.
Fraser-Pryce suffered a knee injury on Friday ahead of the Saturday Kasarani showpiece.
In the men 5000m race, Ethiopian Lemi Teddese shocked a partisan crowd at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani when he won with a sprint finish.
Teddese clocked 13:26.58 in first place, ahead of Kenya’s Ishmael Rokitto (13:27.34) and Uganda’s Peter Maru(13:28.14) in second and third respectively.
The Ethiopian said he will use the win as fuel for his pursuit for glory at August’s World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
“I’m happy to have won the race in Kenya and this is part of my preparations ahead of the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary,” Teddese said.
The Ethiopian timed 3:35.04 to finish fourth in the men’s 1500m at last year’s World Championships in Oregon, United States. PD
