Omanyala willing to give 200m a chance

Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala recently dropped hints about venturing into 200m.

For the Commonwealth Games champion, the 200m race will add an exciting dimension to his already decorated career.

Speaking to Mozzart Sport on Saturday during the rainy Athletics Kenya (AK) trials for the World Athletics relay at the Nyayo National Stadium, Omanyala noted that training for his next possible venture was going well, and he was willing to give it a chance.

“That is the plan for my coach but he does not want to put it out there. So, we will know. At the moment training is going well and if the body can run, I could give it a chance,” he said.

The sprinter who ran 200m in 20.80 during the trials was happy with his performance but noted that the rainy weather slowed him down.

“We were in the call room for 45 minutes which is very long. We have to consider that. I thought I could be faster than that but due to the conditions, I can say it has been amazing,” he revealed.

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The African 100m record holder has been drafted in Team Kenya to Bahamas for the 4X100m relay and will be keen to bring the title home.

He made the team alongside Meshack Babu of Kenya Defence Forces, three-time Kenyan national champion Mark Otieno, Samuel Chege, Mike Mokamba, and 2015 national 100m champion Hesbon Ochieng.

He will also be among the athletes flying the country’s flag high during the Kipkeino Classic scheduled for April 20.

When asked about his targets and expectations ahead of a busy athletics year, the visibly undeterred sprinter noted that setting targets was the shortest way to unnecessary pressure.

He pointed out that he would take a race at a time.

“This year, we are not setting targets. We just go out there and run. If we set targets, we put so much pressure on ourselves. No pressure this year,” he concluded.