Omanyala eyeing another stellar season

African 100m men's record holder Ferdinand Omanyala is focusing on an improved season following his spectacular display over the distance last season, including a historic Olympics semifinal berth in Tokyo.

He went on to break the 100m African Record finishing second in 9.77 behind Trayvon Bromell who clocked 9.76 during the Absa Kip Keino Classic.

Omanyala, Faith Kipyegon 2021's crème de la crème at Soya Awards Gala

Speaking after he was named the 2021 Sportsman of the Year at a ceremony held at the Bukhungu Stadium on Tuesday evening, flooring rally driver Carl Tundo and Emmanuel Korir, Omanyala promised that he would uphold his performance last year and even make it better.

"It is an honor to be given this award. Last year was a great year. It was a year of breaking records. One thing I want to promise is that this year is not going to be any bit lower than that. This year is going to be even better," Omanyala said.

Omanyala was thankful for the award, saying that it was enough motivation and portrayed that there are people who are appreciative of what he has been doing recently.

"I had been watching the event on TV the last three years but now it is me being watched. I am thankful to everyone as it is motivating and it shows people appreciate what I am doing," he added.

After a stellar showing in Tokyo, Omanyala dipped under the 10 seconds mark at the International Josko Lauf meeting, Andorf Austria 2021 with a personal best of 9.86 seconds before dipping it further in Nairobi.

Earlier, the speedster revealed that he is seeking to use the World Athletics Indoor Tour in Europe in February to polish his reaction off the blocks ahead of the 2022 World Athletics Championships in July later this year in USA.