)
Ferdinand Omanyala has achieved some exceptional feats since his international debut two years ago. While much attention goes to the American and Jamaican sprinters, the Kenyan may be changing that narrative.
At the World Indoor Tour meet in Lievin, France, on Wednesday, Africa's fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala clocked a new 60m Kenyan record of 6.54s; to defeat Olympic Champion Marcell Jacobs who clocked 6.57s.
By doing this, he erased his previous national record by 0.01s to earn his third consecutive victory in the 60m indoor race this season, dropping his 60m Personal Best (PB) from 6.66s two weeks ago to 6.55s last week, and now the 6.54s.
)
In his short athletics career, Omanyala has now defeated a reigning Olympic 100m Champion, multiple world championships medallist (Trayvon Bromell), reigning African and Commonwealth 100m Champion (Akani Simbine, who he defeated for both titles last year), and clocked a massive African Record (AR) of 9.77s in the 100m.
If the Kenyan speedster has achieved all these within a little period, perhaps it is high time the world takes note and starts giving him the recognition he deserves.
Becoming the 2023 World and Diamond League Champion
In a recent interview with Kenya's Daily Star, the 27-year-old said he has his goals set on achieving first time African feats, which are winning the 100m World title in Budapest this year, the Diamond League title, and breaking his AR of 9.77s.
"I am looking forward to another successful season. This year, I want to accomplish three primary things. My sights are set on winning the World Championships, the Diamond League, and smashing the African Record."
)
While many may think these are high dreams and not achievable by an African athlete, perhaps it's high time they start having a rethink and realize he has done enough to start being rated among the top guns.
A brief insight into his career
Omanyala became a world-renowned sprinter two years ago. Since then, he won the African title in Mauritius last year and the Commonwealth title in Birmingham - becoming the first Kenyan to attain such a feat in sixty years.
He also erased the previous AR of 9.85s set by Nigeria's Olusoji Fasuba with a new 9.84s before smashing it to 9.77s at the Moi International Sports Center in Kasarani, Nairobi. By doing this, he became the first African athlete in history to go sub-9.80s in the event.
Are his dreams valid?
Absolutely! Omanyala raced to the history books when no one gave a Kenyan sprinter the chance of performing at the top level.
)
He rises to the occasion when it matters most, making him not be a pushover in any 60m or 100m race he competes, as he always finds a way to race to the finish line first.
Still speaking with Kenya Daily Star, Omanyala attributes his competing in the 60m this season to working on his start and running 6.60s which he has now surpassed twice.
"My strength is in the last 50m, so I want to use the indoor meets to work on the first half of the stretch.
"So far, I have been running fast times in training and my top-end speed has definitely increased. I'm happy to say my race has really improved on both ends. I am currently running faster than I did in June and July of last year which indicates significant improvement, " he concluded.
Omanyala is known to back up his words with actions, and if this interview gives an insight on his form this season, then his competitors and athletics pundits should realize there's a new speed king in town capable of causing major upsets, and he's in to win all the titles available at his disposal.
If he attains his goals of winning the the World and Diamond League titles, he will become the first African sprinter in history to accomplish such feats.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)