Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, has won the men’s 100m race at the African Senior Athletics Championships, ongoing in Mauritius.
Following his slow start, Omanyala — Africa’s 100m record holder — was able to rally from behind to defeat defending champion, South Africa’s Akani Simbine, who emerged second in a photo-finish.
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| Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala competes in the men’s 60 metres heats during The World Athletics Indoor Championships 2022 at the Stark Arena, in Belgrade, on March 19. Source:AFP |
The sprinter from Kempton Park, who is one of Omanyala’s closest rivals in the continent, had to settle for second place after Omanyala managed the impossible by just a fraction.
It has not been the best season for Simbine, whose personal best was 10.06s at the Ostrava Golden Spike held last month in Ostrava-Vítkovice, Czech Republic.
Just before qualifying for the final, Omanyala said he would run his one race and that is exactly what the Kenyan did, recording a time of 9.93s to emerge victorious in Reduit.
KITALE’s Ferdinand Omanyala is new Africa’s 100M Champion. He defeated South Africa’s Akani Simbine to win the African Senior Athletics Championships in Mauritius. He recorded 9.93s. Notice his slow start. pic.twitter.com/cJk2rJbJKR
— Ole Teya (@Kevin_teya) June 9, 2022
Omanyala had previously clocked 10.07 in the men’s 100m semifinal to qualify for the final.
“It was a good race…10.07 is a very good time. So now my focus is on the finals, on the finish line because when you fix your mind on the competitors, you will end up running their race,” Omanyala said.
“It was a good race…10.07 is a very good time. So now my focus is on the finals, on the finish line because when you fix your mind on the competitors, you will end up running their race,” Omanyala said.
The Africa Championships were held for the first time since 2018, with the event having been canceled in 2020 and 2021
