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Omanyala reveals top rival ahead of Shanghai Diamond League
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Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 30.04.25. | 18:50
Omanyala, who finished second behind Simbine in both the opening leg of the Diamond League in Xiamen and last month’s FNB Botswana Golden Grand Prix, is fired up for redemption
Africa’s sprint sensation Ferdinand Omanyala has set lofty targets as he heads for the second Wanda Diamond League meeting, the Shanghai Diamond League, slated for Saturday, 3 May.
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As he gears up for the meet, one athlete firmly in his crosshairs is Akani Simbine.
Omanyala, who finished second behind Simbine in both the opening leg of the Diamond League in Xiamen and last month’s FNB Botswana Golden Grand Prix, is fired up for redemption.
In Xiamen, Simbine clocked 9.99 seconds to win, while Omanyala trailed with a 10.13 finish, ahead of Britain’s Jeremiah Azu (10.17).
In Botswana, it was déjà vu as the South African surged ahead in the final 20 meters to clinch victory in 10.00, leaving Omanyala again in second.
“Every athlete, I believe, has unique plans and paths to success. For us, it is about staying focused on our journey. We have set clear goals for the year, and as a team, we have to stick to our process and trust the work we have been putting in. The bigger picture is consistency and peaking at the right time. We will keep doing what needs to be done and let the results speak for themselves,” Omanyala told Mozzart Sport.
Simbine, who boasts a personal best and South African record of 9.82 seconds, has emerged as one of Omanyala's biggest rivals, but Shanghai will feature an even deeper field that promises fireworks.
Some of the biggest names in men’s sprinting, including Letsile Tebogo, Kishane Thompson, Christian Coleman, and Marcell Jacobs, will be in Shanghai.
Tebogo will be among the favourites for both titles, having established himself in explosive fashion last season with five Diamond League victories and an Olympic gold medal in the 200m.
Having narrowly missed out on the Diamond Trophy last season, the Botswanan will be hoping to make amends in 2025 as he shifts his focus from the 200m to the 100m.
He will face stiff competition in the form of Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, who won silver at the Olympics last summer, and 2021 Olympic gold medalist Marcell Jacobs of Italy.
US star Coleman also knows what it takes to win in athletics’ premier one-day series. The 2019 100m world champion has claimed two Diamond League titles and nine individual wins over the past seven seasons.
There is also plenty of pedigree in the rest of the field, with South Africa’s Simbine, Great Britain’s Azu, and local star Xie Zhenye all hoping to spring an early-season surprise.
The Wanda Diamond League is the elite one-day meeting series in global athletics. It comprises 15 of the most prestigious events in global track and field.
Athletes compete for points at the 14 series meetings in a bid to qualify for the two-day Wanda Diamond League Final, which will be held in Zurich on Wednesday, 27 August, and Thursday, 28 August, 2025.
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