‘It felt bad losing at home’ – Omanyala analyzes his Kip Keino Classic performance
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 04.06.25. | 17:33
With the Kip Keino Classic now behind him, Omanyala has now shifted his focus to the Rome Diamond League slated for Friday, 6 May in Italy
Africa’s Fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, has identified areas of improvement after completing the podium during the sixth edition of the Kip Keino Classic held on Saturday, 31 May at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
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Omanyala finished third in 10:07, behind South Africa’s teenage sensation Bayanda Walanza, who clocked 10.03 to finish second in a race won by Australian Kennedy Lachlan in 9:98.
The result postponed Omanyala’s search for a sub-10 this season.
The lowest he has registered so far is 10:00 during the Botswana Grand Prix in March.
He headed to the Kip Keino fresh off a second-place finish at the Rabat Diamond League and was hoping to carry the momentum.
He was also on a mission to reclaim his fire after a lukewarm outing in the 2024 edition of the event, where he clocked 10.03 to finish fifth in a race won by Olympic silver medalist Kenneth Bednarek.
Speaking to Mozzart Sport, Omanyala acknowledged that his biggest area of focus right now is improving how he starts his races.
The African 150m record holder noted that he tends to launch with a low drive, which often costs him valuable milliseconds. In a race as short and unforgiving as the 100m, such a delay leaves him playing catch-up, and by the time he finds his rhythm, the finish line is already in sight.
He, however, remained optimistic that he would work closely with his coach to ensure he fires on all cylinders right out of the blocks.
“It felt bad losing at home. There was just a small technical issue with my run. I will need to go back, analyze the race with my coach, and fix a few things. There was just a small technical issue with my run,” he offered.
With the season running to September and culminating with the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Omanyala remains confident that he has ample time to fine-tune his form.
“The goal is still the same: to peak at the right time. One race does not define the season,” he disclosed.
With the Kip Keino Classic now behind him, Omanyala has now shifted his focus to the Rome Diamond League slated for Friday, 6 May in Italy.
He left the country on Tuesday, 3 May, to acclimate to Italy before the event.
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