Why Omanyala is warning fans and a bitter rival after the iShowSpeed snub

2022 Commonwealth Games 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala has drawn a clear line in the sand ahead of the 2026 season, warning both fans and rivals that he will no longer tolerate online trash talk.

This comes days after a fresh flare-up with former world champion Fred Kerley.

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The Africa’s Fastest Man opened up on the origin of his renewed online feud with Kerley, explaining that his decision to speak out publicly was deliberate and signals how he intends to handle disrespect going forward.

Kerley, known for his blunt and often controversial takes within the track and field community, recently reignited tensions by reposting an old video originally shared by Track World News in 2023.

In the clip, Omanyala confidently declares, “I’m not losing any 100m this year,” before it cuts to footage of the Rabat Diamond League, where Kerley stormed to victory in 9.94 seconds as Omanyala finished third in 10.05, behind South Africa’s Akani Simbine (9.99).

Alongside the repost, the Olympic silver medalist posed a pointed question on Instagram: “@ferdiomanyala, tell them why you changed to track and field?” a remark that referenced Omanyala’s early sporting journey.

Before rising to global sprint prominence, Omanyala was a rugby player. In 2015, a friend noticed his explosive speed and encouraged him to try athletics.

His first recorded race in Kakamega saw him clock 10.4 seconds, before he later posted 10.37 at the Olympic trials the same year, marking the beginning of a rapid ascent.

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However, the recent exchange was about more than just history. The latest clash traces back to an Instagram story Omanyala posted, stating: “@fkerley99 You can have all the medals in the world, but at the end of your career you have no legacy.”

Kerley did not take the comment lightly. The American fired back with a series of posts, writing, “Like, bro, you are not on the level you think you are on. Sit down and do the 1-and-done race every year, @ferdiomanyala. I got a medal in a different event,” before adding, “You don’t make sense at all.”

He also shared a screenshot of their head-to-head record from the World Athletics website, which currently stands at 8-3 in his favor.

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Speaking to Mozzart Sport about the rivalry, Omanyala said the tension has been simmering for years.

“Kerley has always had something against me since I beat him in 2022, and a rivalry has grown from that. I remember in 2024, at one of the Diamond League meetings, he ran 9.87, and I ran 9.88. That rivalry has been there for some time,” he said.

According to the Kenyan sprinter, what has changed is his willingness to stay silent.

“I believe I’m now at a level where you can’t just talk to me anyhow and expect me to keep quiet. A few days ago, he came into my inbox, and we exchanged words, and I decided to put it out there,” he revealed.

Omanyala added that the warning extends beyond fellow athletes to fans who cross the line online.

“He posted on his stories, and I posted on mine as well. Nobody is going to talk to me, and I stay silent, not this year. What I’m doing is tough. I’m putting in the work, so you can’t just come and talk to me however you want.

That applies to fans as well. Don’t come into my comments and say whatever you want. I will get back at you,” he said.

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Unfortunately for track and field fans, the heated feud is unlikely to find a resolution on the track anytime soon.

Kerley’s recent decision to join the controversial Enhanced Games has effectively disqualified him from competing on the World Athletics circuit, ruling out future head-to-head battles with Omanyala in official competitions.