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Ferdinand Omanyala analyses rollercoaster 2024 season
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Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 16.09.24. | 15:30
The 28-year-old clocked 10.07 seconds, wrapping up what has been a season of mixed fortunes for him
Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala ended his 2024 track and field season on a high after winning the Brussels Diamond League invitational race on Saturday 14 September.
The 28-year-old clocked 10.07 seconds, wrapping up what has been a season of mixed fortunes for him.
Reflecting on the season, Omanyala was grateful that his hard work and zeal finally paid off. He ended his 2024 season ranked the second fastest man in the world with a time of 9:79.
“What a season it has been! Happy to wrap it up here in Brussels. It is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and resilience we put in day in and day out. There were highs, new records, and tough challenges, but every lesson made me stronger.
I could not have done it without my incredible team; my coach, manager, and my family,” he offered.
He further thanked his support system, including the sponsors for their unwavering support. Among the deals he landed this year was a Ksh5 million sponsorship with Kenya Breweries Limited.
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“To my sponsors, thank you for believing in my dreams. To the fans, your support pushes me forward every step of the way. Most importantly, I give glory to God, who began a great work in me, and I know he will see it to completion. Let us keep chasing greatness,” he averred.
A look into his season
He started his season in January with the Athletics Kenya (AK) Track and Field meet at the Ulinzi Sports Complex where he attempted the 400m race and came in fifth in 49:06.
On February 3, he graced the Elite Indoor Track Miramas Meeting in France where he clocked 6.52 seconds in the 60-metre final to smash the meeting record that stood at 6.57s.
He would then compete in the 2024 Kip Keino Classic, finishing fifth in 10.01. He was quick to move on, gracing the Atlanta City games where he recorded an improved performance of 9:90 seconds.
At the Prefontaine Classic, the determined Omanyala crossed the line in 9.98 to finish second behind America’s Chris Coleman before returning home for the Olympic trials.
It was during the trials that he registered his best of the season, clocking 9.79 to be the only Kenyan sprinter to book an Olympic ticket.
Following that, he raced at the FBK Games Hengelo where he won in 10.01 under the foggy weather before heading to the Olympics.
His Olympic journey came to a premature end when he finished eighth in the semi-finals of the men’s 100m at the Paris Games, missing out on a place in the final.
His first meeting after the Olympics was the Josko Laufmeeting in Austria where he clocked 10.00.
That same month, he competed in the Silesia Diamond League, coming second in 9.88. He then headed to the Rome Diamond League where he finished in seventh place.
He would later come in second in the Boris Hanzekovic Memorial Meeting in Zagreb where he finished second in 10:02 before winning the Brussels Diamond League invitational race in 10:07 to end his season on a high.
Among his highlights this year was being the country’s flag bearer during the Olympics, a moment he will forever cherish.
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