Omanyala hints at smashing African 100m record at the Kip Keino Classic

ATHLETICS Omanyala hints at smashing African 100m record at the Kip Keino Classic

Abigael Wafula 05:45 - 03.05.2023

He will also hope to become the first African to win a medal at the World Championships in Budapest.

Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala is yearning to leave a mark as he lines up for the Kip Keino Classic on Saturday, May 13 at the Moi International Sports Center Kasarani.

Omanyala, who is the current African record holder, has revealed that he may be keen to set another milestone by lowering his Personal Best which currently stands at 9.77.

“This is the year we are going to break records and trust me when I say that. This is the year that we are going to hit hard,” a bullish Omanyala said.

After the Kip Keino Classic, he will head over to the World Championships in Budapest where he hopes to be the first African to win a medal in the 100m.

During last year’s event in Oregon, a visa hitch saw him travel late and he unfortunately missed a slot in the final but at this year’s event, he will be back at it to prove the masses wrong.

“After the Kip Keino Classic, we shall be going for the world title and we have to start with a win at home,” he said.

He also urged fans to turn up in large numbers since entry to the event is free and promised to give the fans a lifetime experience.

“You don’t want to miss this. You (fans) should come and watch the event live and I promise to give you a great show,” he asserted.

The Commonwealth Games champion has had a great season so far where he has bagged wins in all the 100m races he has competed in. He started his indoor campaign in France and managed three wins out of the four 60m races he competed in, placing second in one of the races.

He then opened his outdoor tour at the Nyayo National Stadium during the second Athletics Kenya meet. He won the final of the 100m in 9.81 though the timing was wind assisted.

The African champion then went for his South Africa outdoor tour and won two races, at the first and second ASA Grand Prixes. His recent victory was at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix where he destroyed a strong field to win in a time of 9.78 seconds, wind-assisted.

He will be heading to the USA for the Atlanta City Games where he intends to compete over a 150m race before jetting back into the country for the much-awaited Kip Keino Classic.

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