Omanyala confident of becoming first African to make the 100m podium at World Athletics Championships

Africa and Commonwealth 100m speed king, Ferdinand Omanyala says there is no cause for alarm in his bid to make history in the 100m event next month at the World Athletics Championships after running 10.07 second to finish second at the Josko Lauf meeting in Austria on Saturday.

Omanyala, the fastest African ever over the distance and second fastest (9.84) in the world so far this year believes he is on course as he bids to achieve what former African record holders before him failed to achieve – win a medal in the blue ribband race in Budapest, Hungary.

Frankie Fredericks came close twice in 1995 and 1997 but his best was a fourth placed finish on both ocassions.

The Namibian was followed by Nigeria’s Olusoji Fasuba who also finished fourth in Osaka, Japan in 2007.

Eight years after, Akani Simbine also made it to the final but the South African’s 9.93 run in Doha in 2019 was only good enough for fourth.

Omanyala is confident he can make that history and even believes he can become world champion in the event.

‘10.08 and 10.07 yesterday in Austria. In everything we give thanks. All the races before the world championships done. The road to Budapest is now clear.
Trusting the process,’ the Kenyan wrote on his twitter page after the race in Austria.

The 27 year old warned he will succeed Fred Kerley as the world 100m champion come next month after winning the 100m event at the Hercules Diamond League meeting in Monaco.

‘I will be the next world champion. There are no doubts about it. I am ready to do it. Tonight, I just confirmed what I am capable of. I would not call it a perfect race but I am ready,’ said the Kenyan after running 9.92 to win his first race in the Diamond League.