Omanyala to face off with idol Blake in Ostrava

Africa's 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala will face off with his idol Jamaica’s Yohan Blake at the Golden Spike Continental Tour meeting in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on May 31, over the 100m distance.

According to Nation Sports, the organizers of the meeting on Wednesday confirmed that the decorated Jamaican would be among those lining up against the Kenyan who is fresh from winning the Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour Gold series at Nairobi last weekend.

The Kenyan will also be up against former Africa record holder over the distance Akani Simbine whom he beat in Germiston a month ago after clocking 9.98 during the third leg of the ASA Athletics Grand Prix Series.

Omanyala will be the second-fastest in Ostrava behind the Jamaican Blake, with the Canadian Jerome Blake being third fastest.

Alfons Juck, the organizer of the Golden Spike told Nation Sport that he wanted to get hold of Omanyala for the Zagreb Meeting but could not because of logistical issues, while at the same time referring to him as a special talent.

“I was already looking at Omanyala’s results last year and I wanted to get him to our meeting in Zagreb, which we also organise, but he had visa issues and couldn’t travel. I knew that he was on a special level, considering that Kenyans are known for distance running. I watched the race on Saturday and how he coped with the speed of Fred Kerley in the second half… Everyone thought he’d be caught by Kerley, but it didn’t happen!” Juck said.

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On his side, Omanyala is looking forward to racing in Ostrava, and is hopeful of a fast time with his best this year coming at Kasarani where he managed 9.85 seconds.

“Ostrava is an event I’ve always dreamt of because Bolt loved the place. I’m so excited about it because I know I’m going to run a very fast time there.” Omanyala said.