The Kenyan sprinter advanced to the semi-finals of the men’s 100 metres at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Friday, keeping alive his country’s dream of seeing a sprinter in a global final.
Omanyala clocked third in his heat to secure an automatic qualifying place. The race was won by South Africa’s Akani Simbine in 10.02 seconds, followed closely by Benjamin Saminu of Ghana in 10.09. Omanyala crossed in third, just enough to book his ticket for the next round.
“I knew it would be tough, but the most important thing was to qualify,” Omanyala told reporters afterwards. “Now the real work begins in the semis.”
The 29-year-old has become a symbol of Kenyan sprinting. In a country celebrated for long-distance runners, Omanyala has broken barriers, holding the African record of 9.77 seconds set in Nairobi three years ago. He also won gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and reached the World Championship final that same year — the first Kenyan ever to do so.
For many Kenyans, his presence in Tokyo represents more than medals. It is a sign that the nation can compete at the very top in sprinting, a discipline long dominated by athletes from the Americas and the Caribbean.
“He has shown our young sprinters that it can be done,” said former national coach David Leting. “It is no longer a dream. It is real.”
The semi-finals promise a tougher challenge. Global powerhouses, including Jamaica and the United States, are still in the mix. But Omanyala, with his trademark explosive start, has shown before that he thrives under pressure.
Kenyan fans will now wait to see if he can deliver yet another breakthrough. A place in the final would cement his place as one of the greats of African sprinting — and perhaps even open the door to a medal.
For now, Omanyala remains calm. “Step by step,” he said. “One race at a time.”
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