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The Commonwealth champion’s former coach believes he will run an even faster time than witnessed last year at Kasarani Stadium
Veteran sprints coach Stephen Mwaniki has backed Ferdinand Omanyala to break his African record at Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi this weekend.
Omanyala will be among the stars who will grace the Continental Tour at Kasarani Stadium with Jamaican icon and five-time world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce among the others.
Nairobi was the scene where the 26-year-old set the African record when he run 9.77 at last year’s Kip Keino Classic and Mwaniki, who worked with him at the formative stage of his sprints career, believes records are set to tumble again on Saturday.
“At Kip Keino Classic, we are going to see good times, especially from Omanyala,” Mwaniki told Pulse Sports. “The big boys are coming down here and he is going to prove again back home that he is one of the best in the world. I think he can beat his time, the 9.77, he can do it. Maybe 9.70, 9.73 he can do it.”
Omanyala will face competition from American and world silver medalist Kenny Bednarek, the world 4x100m relay champion Jerome Blake of Canada, and the world 100m silver medalist Marvin Bracy, also from the United States.
The runner, himself seems confident of breaking the record, having promised fireworks at the weekend event.
“The focus now shifts to the biggest athletics event in Kenya this year. You think you have seen me run fast? No, you haven't. Come to Kasarani Stadium this weekend, 13th of May and see what fast means,” Omanyala said vi a Twitter post on Monday.
Omanyala had a great outing last weekend, setting a new African record in the 150m at the Atlanta City Games on Saturday.
He came home third in 14.98 seconds, with American and world 100m champion Noah Lyles winning the race in a Personal Best of 14.56 seconds, while Erriyon Knighton placed second in 14.85.
He beat the 14.99 African record set by Namibian legend Frankie Fredricks in 1993, his time being also a national record and the 13 best of all time.
Omanyala was using the 150m to test his speed ahead of more grueling assignments this year and the lessons gained in Atlanta could be on show at Kasarani Stadium this weekend.
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