Omanyala targeting Personal Best at Kip Keino Classic

It is no doubt that Ferdinand Omanyala will have little competition at the ongoing Athletics Kenya (AK) national championship, but the 100m African record holder has his sights set on the Kip Keino Classic title.

Omanyala, running in the heats of the three-day championship clocked 10.03 on Tuesday and is looking to win his first title for new employer Kenya Police.

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Omanyala believes his time on the track competing in 60m dash at the World Indoor tour has helped him improve is takeoff and thus ready for the challenge ahead.

"I ran a sub 10 in South Africa and that is an indicator of better things to come. It is April in a busy year so managing that time this early in the season points to a good year.

I am happy to be competing on home soil. I am using this as part of my preparations for the World Athletics Continental Tour, Kip Keino Classic next weekend," offered Omanyala.

Last year's Classic saw Omanyala finish second to Trayvon Bromell in 9.77, a time that made him Africa's fastest man, breaking South African Akani Simbine's record.

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On 7 May at the Classic, Omanyala is expected to renew rivalry with Olympics silver medalist United States' Fred Kerley who has confirmed participation in the one-day event.

The two went head-to-head during the Olympics semi final where Omanyala clocked 10.00 to improve his then PB.

He, however, missed out on a final slot. His time was 0.04 behind Kerley and 0.02 behind eventual bronze medalist Andre de Grasse.

"This is a big competition and I urge fans to come out in numbers to support us. This is race that will be won in 9.7 or 9.6 so I will have to push myself. I am facing Kerley again but my focus is not on him but on the time," added the 26-year-old.

He maintains that his intentions are to represent the country in all upcoming international events.