Ferdinand Omanyala sheds light on his proposed 400m challenge against Faith Kipyegon as fans anticipate battle

ATHLETICS Ferdinand Omanyala sheds light on his proposed 400m challenge against Faith Kipyegon as fans anticipate battle

Abigael Wafula 11:30 - 12.11.2023

Ferdinand Omanyala has cleared the air on whether the 400m clash between him and Faith Kipyegon will eventually happen.

The 2023 track and field season came to a closure before the world witnessed a sensational 400m race between Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala and double world record holder Faith Kipyegon, which now leaves people wondering if it will still materialise.

In a video on Ayako Oikawa’s X handle (formerly Twitter), Kipyegon and Omanyala shared a light moment on who would be faster in a 400m race event and both were bullish about winning the race and fans would undoubtedly be curious to know.

Speaking to Pulse Sports, Omanyala shared that they were just making light jokes but due to public demand, they will plan about it.

“I’ve seen many people requesting for that but we will plan about it. It was just a joke and we were talking in a lobby somewhere in our hotel but we will see how it will happen,” Omanyala said.

Follow the Pulse Sports Kenya WhatsApp Channel for more news. 

The Commonwealth Games 100m champion insisted that he would definitely give Kipyegon, the double World champion, a run for her money.

“I will definitely show Kipyegon dust…I will just run the first 300m and walk in the remaining 100m,” he said.

Meanwhile, both Kipyegon and Omanyala enjoyed glamorous seasons, with the latter explaining that his season was a 95% success after missing out on a medal at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Omanyala made a return to the Diamond League Meetings this season and managed podium finishes in all the races. He went ahead to become the first Kenyan to win a Diamond League Meeting 100m race during the Meeting in Monaco.

Kipyegon has enjoyed her season too, going unbeaten on the track and tasting her first loss of the season at the World Road Running Championships.

She broke three world records, 1500m, 5000m, and the mile, and they have all been ratified. However, her 5000m world record was broken by Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay at the Prefontaine Classic, the Diamond League Meeting final.

Kipyegon also bagged double gold at the World Championships, winning both the 1500m and 5000m races.