Omanyala replaced as the fastest man in the world this year

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ATHLETICS Omanyala replaced as the fastest man in the world this year

Abigael Wafula 13:00 - 25.06.2023

Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes displayed an impeccable show to clinch the 100m title in 9.83 at the USATF NYC Grand Prix.

Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala has been pushed to second place on the list of the fastest 100m runners in the world this year.

This was after Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes displayed an impeccable show to clinch the 100m title in 9.83 at the USATF NYC Grand Prix. His time beats Omanyala’s time (9.84) that he clocked during the Kip Keino Classic last month.

World champion Fred Kerley is third on the list with a time of 9.88 that he clocked at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix in Yokohama, Japan.

Apart from becoming the fastest man in the world this year, Hughes also smashed Linford Christie's 30-year British men's 100m record.

Hughes, who won 100m silver at the 2022 European Championships, cut the tape ahead of Jamaica's Ackeem Blake (9.93secs) with American Christian Coleman, the 2019 world champion, third in 10.02.

The victory continues an impressive run of form for Hughes, who won 200m European gold in Munich last summer to go with his relay title in the 4x100m squad.

“In 2015 I came here and I ran against Usain Bolt and it was memorable. I wanted to come back here again and prove myself, and prove to the world, that I'm here.

(In the race it was) patience, patience, patience. That's what I've been told. You go through the phases, relax, don't get carried away by anyone, just relax and trust yourself, you will be good,” Hughes said afterward to NBC Sports.

Back in Nairobi, Kenya, Omanyala also impressed as he clocked a stunning 9.96 ahead of Meshack Babu (10.50) and Hesbin Ochieng (10.58) at the Athletics Kenya National Championships. His next assignment is at the Diamond League Meeting in Monaco.