Kenyan Omanyala eyes African 100m crown

Ferdinand Omanyala is determined to become just the second Kenyan man to be crowned African 100m champion. The African record holder ran a world-leading time this year of 9.85 seconds on Saturday as he won the event at the Kip Keino Classic on home soil in Nairobi. The 26-year-old, who set his continental record of 9.77s on the same track in September, has also set his sights on success outside of Africa.

“I am the African record holder, but I want to be the African champion,” he told BBC Sport Africa.

“Right now, I am hungry for medals, so I am really preparing for the African Championships, World Championships and the Commonwealth Games.”

Joseph Gikonyo is the only other man from the east African country to become continental champion over the distance, winning in 1990. Omanyala thinks a lack of belief is the only reason more Kenyans have not won the African 100m title – something he is determined to change in Mauritius next month.

“It has been all in the mind because [Kenya] have the talent,” he insisted.