Omanyala elated after being honoured during Italian basketball match
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Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 10.06.25. | 18:46
Omanyala, who had just competed at the Rome Diamond League the night before, was recognised during a quarter-time break at the Form arena, in front of a packed and electrified crowd.
Kenya’s sprint king, Ferdinand Omanyala, received a hero’s welcome in Italy on Saturday, 6 June, as he was honoured during the Italian League A basketball semifinals clash between Virtus Segafredo Bologna and EA7 Emporio Armani Milano.
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Omanyala, who had just competed at the Rome Diamond League the night before, was recognised during a quarter-time break at the Form arena, in front of a packed and electrified crowd.
The stadium announcer introduced Omanyala to the fans, listing his track achievements before the officials presented him with a personalised jersey emblazoned with his record-setting time of 9.77 seconds.
The crowd responded with a rousing standing ovation, acknowledging not just his speed but his role as a trailblazer for African athletics.
Speaking to Mozzart Sport from Italy, the African 100 and 150m record holder could not hide his excitement, noting that it was a pleasant surprise.
“Being recognised far from home, in a country with such a rich sporting culture, is incredibly humbling. I did not expect this, and I am truly honoured.
This recognition fuels me to keep pushing. I want young African athletes to see that the world is watching and appreciating our greatness,” Omanyala said.
The honour came just a day after Omanyala narrowly missed breaking the 10-second barrier at the Rome Diamond League.
He clocked 10.01 seconds in a tightly contested 100m final to place third behind American Trayvon Bromell, who won in a world-leading 9.84, and Cameroon’s Emmanuel Esseme, who came second in a season-best 9.99.
Former World Champion Fred Kerley placed fifth in 10.06.
Omanyala’s performance in Rome was a notable improvement on his 10.05 finish at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi the previous weekend, an encouraging sign as the countdown to the World Championships in Tokyo continues.
Meanwhile, in the basketball action that framed Omanyala’s special moment, Virtus Bologna edged out Milan 84-78 in Game 4 of the playoff Scudetto semifinals.
The result saw Virtus seal the series 3-1 and punch their ticket to the final, where they will meet Germani Brescia.
Despite Milan’s strong start, leading 44-42 at halftime, Virtus turned the tide with an 8-0 Third quarter burst. They held their nerve in a tense final period to seal the win.
Tornike Shengelia starred for Virtus with 25 points, supported by Isaia Cordinier’s 14, while Nikola Mirotic’s 30 points for Milan went in vain.
The final will mark Virtus Bologna’s 36th appearance in the championship series and their fifth consecutive, while Brescia is set to play in the final for the first time in its history.
Virtus last lifted the title in 2021, chasing what would be their 17th championship.
