Omanyala targeting sub 10 performance in South Africa Grand Prix

Commonwealth Games 100m champion and African record holder Ferdinand Omanyala has set his eyes on dipping below the 10 seconds mark when he takes to the track tonight as the South African track and field season gets underway.

His focus is not only in the first leg of the ASA Grand Prix Series set to be held in Tshwane today but also in the second leg of the event scheduled for April 19, in Germiston.

"My goal is to run under 10 seconds in both the Grand Prix 1 and 2 events. Training is going well and I'm looking forward to a great season. It already took off with a great start, so I'm expecting very fast times this year," Omanyala said while speaking ahead of the race.

The sprinter set a Kenyan national record of 6.54 in the 60m indoor sprint in France in February and then went on to clock 9.86 over 100m in Nairobi, though his result at that meeting did not include a wind recording.

He will be up against his compatriot Samuel Imeta, South African teenage sensation Benjamin Richardson, and Gilbert Hainuca of Namibia. His nemesis and former continental record holder Akani Simbine will, however, not be in action.

Last year, Omanyala finished fist in the ASA Athletics Grand Prix 3 held at McArthur Stadium where he clocked 10.11 as well as in the ASA Athletics Grand Prix 4 in Germiston Stadium, stopping the clock at 9.98.

Despite not being able to face Simbine at this early stage of the season, the Kenyan star had only good things to say about his South African counterpart.

Simbine won the national 100m title at the recent ASA Senior Championships in Potchefstroom, clocking an impressive 9.92 in the semi-finals, with Omanyala watching from the stands.

"Akani is a great athlete. He ran well at the nationals. Hats off to him for taking the SA title five times. I pray he has a good season ahead," he added.

Gor Mahia travel down to Mombasa as six matches grace midweek league action