Omanyala recalls how 2020 Tokyo Olympics catapulted him to stardom

© Ferdinand Omanyala

ATHLETICS Omanyala recalls how 2020 Tokyo Olympics catapulted him to stardom

Abigael Wafula 07:36 - 28.07.2023

At the event, he finished third in the semifinal and was denied a slot in the final but that for him, was a life-changing moment.

Commonwealth Games 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala has shared how the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games cleared the way for his now-blooming athletics career.

Omanyala recalled how he qualified last minute for the global event and that was his first time at such a huge stage. However, this time round, he has no worries about making it to the Olympic Games since he has already qualified.

The second fastest man in the world so far this year revealed that his performance at the Olympics gave him a huge platform and made him who he is today. At the event, he finished third in the semifinal and was denied a slot in the final but that for him, was a life-changing moment.

I’m excited about the Olympic Games next year, I remember in 2021 we really struggled to qualify for the Olympics…we qualified at the last minute. However, this year I’ve already qualified and I’m really happy about that.

"I can remember that the Olympics gave me a very big platform…it made me who I am today. Because of my results there, I got the chance to attend my first Diamond League Meeting in Brussels.

"I got invited into different events in 2021 and that spearheaded my career as much as my performance is concerned,” Omanyala said.

He added that for next year’s event, he is looking forward to delivering a gold medal for Kenya.

We are winning that gold…and I’ve said that before and I’ll say it again. I’m really looking forward to that.

"Now I’m not coming in as a participant but as a competitor…I’m not going in as someone who is going to fill in the lanes,” he said.

His big assignment this year will be at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary where he is bidding to be the first African to medal in the 100m.