Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala has won Kenya’s first Common wealth Games men’s 100M gold since 1962.
Ferdinand Omanyala atoned for his World Athletics Championships misfortunes by winning the men’s 100 metres final of the Common Wealth Games.Omanyala crossed the finish line in 10:02
But just as he did in the Africa championships in June, Omanyala beat Simbine to become the new Commonwealth champion
Akani Simbine settled for silver with a time of 10.13 seconds. Omanyala was the favourite after going through the semi finals with the fastest time
The 26-year-old has now added the Commonwealth title to his African title. He is also the fastest man on the continent, with a time of 9.77 seconds.
It was redemption for Omanyala, who missed out on the finals of the World Athletics Championships after delayed visa issues curtailed his preparations. He ended up bowing out in the semifinals.
Gusii Digital News has compiled some of Omanyala congratulatory messages:
Africa’s fastest man, a son of our soil, Ferdinand Omanyala, you have made our entire nation proud. Your victory exemplifies the results of focus, courage, consistency, and sacrifice. Congratulations!- Raila Odinga
Such a monumental triumph as displayed by Ferdinand Omanyala affirms that grit, consistency, and determination are compulsary ingredients to breaking mortal barrier. Congratulations son of the soil for bagging a Gold medal for Kenya at the Commonwealth Games!- Senator Gideon Moi
FERDINAND OMANYALA,Congratulations champion. You make us proud!- Dr. Ezekiel Mutua
Kenya’s gem and Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala gets gold at the Commonwealth Games, clocking 10.02 seconds. What a man! We are proud of you.- DP William Ruto
The Peoples Champion!, Congratulations to Ferdinand Omanyala for Winning Gold at the Commonwealth Games. Kenya is Proud– William Kabogo
Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala Wednesday sailed into the final of the men’s 100m at the Commonwealth Games.
The African champion won the second heat in 10.02 seconds at the Alexander Stadium.
Omanyala made a sterling take off to clock 10.02 seconds to win, beating defending champion Akani Simbine from South Africa to second place in 10.13 sec.
Yupun Abeykoon from Sri Lanka hauled bronze in 10.14 sec.
“We have it…It’s now a reality!” said Omanyala, adding that he has been working for the victory since the beginning of the year.
We have been looking forward to this and thanks to my team and the Kenyans who have supported me throughout this journey,” explained Omanyala.
“It feels nice, I know it will take days to sink. It feels nice in front of this receptive crowd.”
Omanyala said the victory is a big motivation towards next season where there will be a World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary and the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Omanyala hopes that the victory will continue to inspire and encourage many Kenyans and pave the way for many sprinters to come through in future.
“It needed someone to break the barrier because there will be so many other sprinters coming through. It will have a lot of impact now that I have two championship gold medals and an Africa record,” noted Omanyala, who has personal best of 9.77 seconds.
Omanyala said that he used the challenges he faced towards the just concluded World Athletics Championships in Oregon as a stepping stone to good performance.
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