Get ready to sprint into excitement! 🏃♂️ Kenya's Ferdinand Omanyala, Africa's fastest man, is gearing up to take on the world's best in Paris this year. With a dazzling record of 9.77 seconds in the 100-meter dash, set at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi back in 2021, Omanyala isn't just settling for being Africa's speed king—he's aiming for global domination! 🌍
Three years ago, Omanyala burst onto the Olympic scene in Tokyo, making it to the semifinals with a 10-second sprint. Now, as he prepares for his second Olympic adventure, he's more pumped than ever. \"Yeah, I'm excited about this one,\" he told CGTN's Mohamed Abubakar. \"I'm getting in as the second fastest in the world this year and third in the world ranking, so that gives me an edge over the others.\"
What's changed since Tokyo? Omanyala has been shaking things up. \"I'm glad that this time it's different because I've had to make so many changes between 2021 and now to make sure we get this right,\" he shared. A new coach and a fresh approach mean he's peaking at the perfect time. \"We didn't want to peak too fast too early,\" he explained. \"The last two seasons we've been running too fast in April and March and then later on in the championships we're not doing good, so we've changed that approach and I'm happy and positive that it's going to work.\"
But Omanyala isn't the only African speedster eyeing glory in Paris. South Africa's Akani Simbine and Botswana's Letsile Tebogo are also set to blaze the tracks. \"I'm glad that I joined and found Simbine in the sport,\" Omanyala said with admiration. \"I was looking up to him before I became who I was. I'll be so happy to see him make the final. Tebogo is a silver medalist from last year's world champs and I'm sure he'll be there.\"
The prospect of three Africans in the 100-meter final? Epic! 🌟 \"It'll be a blessing to have three Africans in the final,\" Omanyala enthused. \"But again, we can't think about the final and we have not done even the heats. So I won't talk too much about it, because I want to handle each stage as it comes. The most important thing is to get in there and we start on from the heats and get through the rounds.\"
With determination, humility, and a dash of swagger, Omanyala is set to make waves in Paris. Will he conquer the world stage and bring home gold? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure—we'll be cheering him on every step of the way! 🇰🇪🔥
Reference(s):
Africa's 'fastest man' Omanyala wants to challenge the best in Paris
cgtn.com
