President Kenyatta lauds Omanyala’s groundbreaking 100m Commonwealth Gold

President Uhuru Kenyatta has heaped words of praise to the history making Ferdinand Omanyala who on Wednesday night became the first Kenyan man in 60 years to clinch a Gold medal in the 100m dash as he clocked 10.02 seconds to finish first at the ongoing 2022 Commonwealth Games being held in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

After three previous unsuccessful attempts, Omanyala finally clinched a maiden global title as he dethroned South Africa’s Akani Simbine as the new Commonwealth champion.

Commonwealth Games: Omanyala wins 100m gold

The Kenyan put daylight between himself and Simbine who timed 10.13 seconds to clinch silver while Sri Lankan Yupun Abeykoon settled for bronze in 10.14s.

The groundbreaking gold medal in the 100m race was also Kenya’s first at the ongoing games with the President terming Omanyala's global win as a groundbreaking achievement for Kenya, an athletics powerhouse that's not renown for prowess in short races.

"It was super exciting to watch Ferdinand win the 100m dash in style and earning our country her first gold medal in Birmingham. The win is a groundbreaking achievement not just for Ferdinand but for the whole of Kenya's athletics because he has excelled in a domain that's not traditionally ours," the President’s message was conveyed via an official post from State House.

Omanyala has now clinched a medal in his first ever final, having missed out at the Tokyo Olympic Games, the Indoor Championships and the World Championships last month, where he reached the semis in all events.