Omanyala crossed the finish line first in a time of 10.01 seconds, despite slowing down in the final stages to continue his Olympic preparations.
Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, is in full swing preparing for the upcoming Paris Olympics after securing a place at the FBK competition in Hengelo, Netherlands, on Sunday night. Omanyala finished in 10.01 seconds, beating American Ronnie Baker by 10.03, with Andre de Grasse third in 10.07.
The FBC Games, part of IAAF’s Golden Continental Tour, was an important opportunity for Omanyala to assess his Olympic readiness. Omaniyala came into the meet in great form, having clocked a staggering 9.79 seconds in Nairobi last month, the second-fastest time in the world this year.
“It was a real scary time,” Faith Kipyegon said after breaking the 1500m world record.
“Hengelo will be a race against the clock for us so we’ll do our best to get out there and see where we are before heading to our pre-Olympic camp in Mirama. “This will be like a building kit for our program leading up to the Olympics,” Omanyala said in a recent interview with Capital Sports.
He added, “This will help us understand where we are, what we need to work on, what our strengths and weaknesses are, and it will be very important for our preparation for the Olympics.”
The Hengelo race will be Omanyala’s sixth race of the season. The 26-year-old has strategically limited his race schedule this year to ensure he remains in peak condition.
His coach, Geoffrey Kimani, believes Omaniyala has already completed most of the work necessary for this season and is currently in optimal condition. Kimani noted that Hengelo’s race is a roadmap to the Paris Olympics.
Jamaican sprinter Kishane Thompson currently holds the world’s leading time of 9.77 seconds, which she set at Jamaica’s Olympic Trials in Kingston last Friday. Omanyala’s performance in Hengelo, combined with her previous feat in Nairobi, makes her one of the favorites to win Olympic gold.
As Omanyala continues her preparations, her recent wins and strategic approach to racing highlight her potential to make a big impact at the Paris Olympics. With his current form and intensive training, Omanyala is ready to bring glory to Kenya and Africa on the world stage.
