Omanyala finally wins his first Diamond League race in Monaco

ATHLETICS: Omanyala finally wins his first Diamond League race in Monaco

Abigael Wafula 23:50 - 21.07.2023

Omanyala was in a class of his own as he cruised to the finish line and cut the tape in 9.92.

Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala has made history to become the first Kenyan to win a Diamond League Meeting in the 100m as he floored a strong field in Monaco.

Omanyala was in a class of his own as he cruised to the finish line and cut the tape in 9.92 ahead of Botswana’s ace Letsile Tebogo who clocked 9.93. Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake clocked 10.00 to complete the podium.

Without the presence of arch-rival Fred Kerley, all was clear that Omanyala was destined to carry the day and he surely lived up to expectation. 

The Commonwealth Games champion had a poor start off the blocks but gained momentum and in the last 60m, he had the grip and was moving swiftly to the finish line. 

He opened his Diamond League campaign at the Meeting in Rabat, Morocco where he finished second behind World champion Kerley and South Africa’s Akani Simbine. He then proceeded to the Meeting in Florence, Italy where he finished second behind Kerley. 

At the Diamond League Meeting in Paris, France, he also finished second behind World 200m champion Noah Lyles. The 27-year-old now heads to the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary psyched up for title contention. 

At the global showpiece, he intends to become the first African to win a gold medal and with his impeccable form, he might just be on the journey to realizing that dream.