Ferdinand Omanyala, Africa’s fastest man over 100 meters, prepares for a thrilling sprint showdown against Canada’s Aaron Brown, the 200-meter silver medallist from the 2018 Commonwealth Games, at the seventh edition of the Kip Keino Classic on April 24.
As the reigning 100-meter champion from the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Omanyala aims to reclaim his title in Nairobi after facing challenges in recent competitions.
He first competed at the Kip Keino Classic in 2021, recording a remarkable 9.77 seconds, which remains the African record, and finishing in second place. American sprinter Trayvon Bromell edged him out with a time of 9.76, preventing a fairy-tale debut victory for the Kenyan.
However, Omanyala rebounded impressively in 2022, winning with a time of 9.85 against a strong American field, including Fred Kerley and Isiah Young. He successfully defended his title in 2023, clocking 9.84 to surpass Kenneth Bednarek and Marvin Bracy-Williams.
The past two editions, however, have posed significant challenges for the African record holder. In 2024, he finished fifth with a time of 10.03, as Bednarek took the win in 9.91, followed closely by Liberia’s Emmanuel Matadi and Britain’s Jeremiah Azu. Last year, Omanyala placed third in 10.07, behind Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy and South Africa’s Bayanda Walaza.
At 30 years old, Omanyala has started his 2026 season with mixed results. He began indoors, finishing eighth in the 60 meters at the Miramas Metropole meet and improving to fourth at the Russian LFK CSKA meeting. Outdoors, he demonstrated potential by anchoring Kenya’s men’s 4×100-meter relay
As the reigning 100-meter champion from the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Omanyala aims to reclaim his title in Nairobi after facing challenges in recent competitions.
He first competed at the Kip Keino Classic in 2021, recording a remarkable 9.77 seconds, which remains the African record, and finishing in second place. American sprinter Trayvon Bromell edged him out with a time of 9.76, preventing a fairy-tale debut victory for the Kenyan.
However, Omanyala rebounded impressively in 2022, winning with a time of 9.85 against a strong American field, including Fred Kerley and Isiah Young. He successfully defended his title in 2023, clocking 9.84 to surpass Kenneth Bednarek and Marvin Bracy-Williams.
The past two editions, however, have posed significant challenges for the African record holder. In 2024, he finished fifth with a time of 10.03, as Bednarek took the win in 9.91, followed closely by Liberia’s Emmanuel Matadi and Britain’s Jeremiah Azu. Last year, Omanyala placed third in 10.07, behind Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy and South Africa’s Bayanda Walaza.
At 30 years old, Omanyala has started his 2026 season with mixed results. He began indoors, finishing eighth in the 60 meters at the Miramas Metropole meet and improving to fourth at the Russian LFK CSKA meeting. Outdoors, he demonstrated potential by anchoring Kenya’s men’s 4×100-meter relay
