Budapest 2023: Omanyala sets sight on gold

Ferdinand Omanyala says his goal is to bag gold ahead of tonight’s 100M semis and final at the World Championship in Budapest.

The fastest man in Africa cruised to the semis on Saturday night after finishing second in his heat in 9.97s. Omanyala took off well but slowed down towards the end allowing American Noah Nyles to win the heat in 9.95.

On Sunday evening he will be in action in the semis hoping to secure passage to the final. The semis has some big names such as the likes of Oblique Seville, Fred Kerley, Nyles, Akani Simbine, Letsile Tebogo and Christian Coleman. The semis start at 5;35 PM with the final scheduled for 8;10 PM.

Speaking after securing a semis berth, the 27-year old said Saturday’s race was more about feeling the track ahead of Sunday’s races

“Tonight's (Saturday) race was about feeling the track and I really enjoyed my race. It was funny to face Noah Lyles in the heat. He is a great competitor and every single race against him is a new experience. On the other hand, I always focus on myself,” he stated.

He went on to reiterate his desire to bag gold in Budapest with his desired time being 9.66s.

“Earlier I said that my aim is to win this championship and I now feel my body is ready. Today, I was like a bullet from the blocks and I'm going to go faster and faster in the next two rounds. Look at my arm. Do you see 9.66 on my wristband? That is my aim for this season.”

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In other events, the semis of the 1500m for both men and women take place in quick succession at 6:05 PM and 6:30 PM EAT.

Golden girl Faith Kipyegon will be in the second semifinal where she will battle alongside Laura Muir and Sifan Hassan who will be hoping to overcome day one fall to advance to the final.

In the first semi, two more Kenyans in Edinah Jebitok and Nelly Chepchirchir will be eyeing the tickets to the final.

In the men's race, Abel Kipsang is in heat one with the duo of Timothy Cheruiyot and Reynold Kipkorir in the second.

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At 7:25 PM, Daniel Simiu Ebenyo will lead his compatriots Nicholas Kipkorir and Bernard Kibet in the hunt for Kenya's first medal at this year's competition when they take to the track for the 10,000m final.

Defending champion Joshua Cheptegei will be the man to beat alongside the Ethiopian pair of Selemon Barega and Berihu Aregawi who are the only ones to dip below 27 minutes this season.