Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, has advanced to the 100 metres semi-finals scheduled for Sunday, August 4th, at the Paris Olympics. All eyes are set on Omanyala, who, with a win, could become the greatest 100m runner Kenya has ever produced.

Competing in Heat Two, Omanyala was paired with Italy’s Chituru Ali, Germany’s Joshua Hartmann, and Devin Augustine, among other formidable opponents.

Omanyala took an easy win, clocking an impressive 10.08 seconds. Chituru Ali finished second with a time of 10.12 seconds, and Joshua Hartmann completed the podium with a stunning 10.16 seconds.

“I’m happy that I have ran a good race- I don’t feel the pressure, I trained for three years and finished my training in Miramas- Paris is all about enjoying my race and proving all my hard work, I waited for three years for tomorrow’s race, I have something to prove to my Kenyan people.” Said Omanyala.

Earlier this season, Omanyala competed at the Prefontaine Classic, finishing an impressive second behind Christian Coleman. He then secured a third-place finish at the Racers Grand Prix, where Oblique Seville and Noah Lyles finished second and third, respectively.

The Commonwealth Games champion’s final race before the Olympics was the FBK Games in Hengelo, where he claimed top honors. He entered the Olympics with much-needed confidence.

Meanwhile, US sprint star Noah Lyles and defending Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs of Italy safely negotiated their 100m heats at the Paris Games on Saturday to move into the semi-finals of the blue-riband event.

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