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Africa’s fastest man has been in great form this year and is targeting his first official sub-10 of the season in Tshwane
Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala is targeting his first official sub-10 second performance of the season at the opening two legs of the ASA Grand Prix Series.
Omanyala, who has started 2023 in impressive form, will feature at the first meeting of the series in Tshwane, South Africa on Wednesday night before competing again at the second leg in Germiston next week (April 19).
"My goal is to run under 10 seconds in both the Grand Prix 1 and 2 events," Omanyala said. "Training is going well and I'm looking forward to a great season. It already took off with a great start, so I'm expecting very fast times this year."
Omanyala, who set a new mark on the continent by running 9.93 to win the African Championships, before claiming Commonwealth gold last year, has been explosive in the early stages of the season.
He set a Kenyan national record of 6.54 in the 60m indoor sprint in France in February before clocking 9.81 over 100m in Nairobi, though his result at that meeting did not include a wind recording.
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Omanyala intends to also run in the meets in Rome, Monaco, and Shanghai and conclude in the final in Oregon.
"South Africa for me is like my second home and my manager being here stamps that," said Omanyala ahead of his ASA Grand Prix opener. "I also love the hospitality I get here and just want to run fast times for me and my fans in South Africa."
While he will not face SA record holder Akani Simbine in Tshwane on Wednesday, Omanyala will need to outclass a strong field that includes rising teenage star Benjamin Richardson.
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His first race will be on April 12 at the Tuks Stadium.
Simbine won the national 100m title at the recent ASA Senior Championships in Potchefstroom, clocking 9.92 in the semi-finals, with Omanyala watching from the stands.
"Akani is a great athlete. He ran well at the nationals," Omanyala said. "Hats off to him for taking the SA title five times. I pray he has a good season ahead."
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