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Ferdinand Omanyala has admitted it was ill-advised to compete in many local races but he will now select carefully what to feature in next year ahead of the Paris Olympics
Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala feels it was ill-advised to feature in a number of races in Kenya and Africa in 2023 since they were not getting the best out of him.
Omanyala started his 2023 campaign at the Athletics Kenya Track and Field meeting in February where he clocked a world lead of 9.81 before turning out at other legs, culminating in the National Athletics Championships in June, where he won in 9.96.
He also anchored the Police team to victory in the men's 4x100m relays at the event which came after he had featured in the ASA Grand Prix in South Africa in April and he feels the caliber of runners he was competing against were not at his level and not testing him to the limits.
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16:08 - 07.11.2023
ATHLETICS Ferdinand Omanyala explains the bitter lessons he learnt from his ‘95 per cent’ 2023 season
Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala has opened up about the brutal nature of sprints from the tough lessons he learnt in his near-perfect 2023 campaign
“I also learnt that the competition is up there,” Omanyala told Nation regarding the lessons he learnt from his 2023 season.
“The races I did in Kenya, I did not feel like they were getting the best out of me. I was not competing with the people of my level. Africa has sprinters but I believe the competition is in the Diamond League.
“So next year, we are going to prioritise the Diamond League, the Continental Tours because that is where the competition is.”
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07:44 - 29.10.2023
ATHLETICS Duncan Ayiemba: How Omanyala's former coach shaped his career
Africa's fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala has changed coaches but what was he able to achieve with his now former coach, Duncan Ayiemba?
There have been concerns that Omanyala competed in many events which might have contributed to his disappointing showing at the 2023 World Championships where he finished seventh in the 100m final after looking like he would win a medal.
He also admitted that, saying 2024 will be different now that he has changed coaches, having linked up with Geoffrey Kimani after parting ways with Duncan Ayiemba last month.
“We did a lot of races, some of which were very long points as far as ranking is concerned, so going into next year, we are going to reduce on that and just focusing,” added Omanyala.
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07:22 - 25.10.2023
ATHLETICS Who is Geoffrey Kimani? A look into Ferdinand Omanyala's new coach
Many fans might be wondering who Ferdinand Omanyala's new coach, Geoffrey Kimani, is, and here is a look into what he has achieved so far.
Next year will culminate in the Paris Olympics where Omanyala is hoping for a positive outcome but after being humbled at the World Championships, he is employing a cautious approach this time round.
“The Olympics is the main target so we are still looking at what competitions we are going to compete in but I am also looking at the indoor games in March. So, I am hoping the sessions that I am going to do, we will work towards that,” he said.
“I will take a step of faith [at the Olympics]. It is just like walking in darkness. Just making sure that you trust your next step and putting everything in place. I have already qualified and when I get there, it is to make sure I put everything 100 per cent.”
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