Omanyala calm ahead of Worlds despite a "slow" national trials race

Ferdinand Omanyala will be looking to take the world by storm later this month as he leads his Kenyan compatriots in hunt for medals charge in the World Championships and Commonwealth Games respectively.

Omanyala, the current African record holder faces a fierce competition from USA and Jamaican athletes who have proved over time to be the best in the sprints. He will be up against USA’s finest Fred Kerley who produced a new world lead of the year - of 9.83 in the semi-finals in USA’s trials which were held on Thursday before proceeding to win the finals on Friday.

Kerley’s compatriots Marvin Bracy-Williams and Christian Coleman together with Jamaica’s Yohan Blake will be there to give Omanyala a test of his lifetime in the 100m race.

Olympic champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs of Italy has also recovered in time after an injury scare, and will be lining up against Omanyala and the rest of the so strong field, making the contest for a podium a spot more competitive. 

Speaking to journalists at Kasarani Stadium after completing the race which was the climax of the trials on Saturday, Omanyala said they will have to do everything perfectly to bring the title home.

"I was expecting to run under 10 seconds today but it didn't work. If you look at how my friends from Jamaica and USA ran on Friday, it won't be easy. In the World Championships we have to do it perfect, there should be no room for mistake. I will remain calm, give no room to pressure because this is an individual sport and anything can happen," Omanyala noted.

Omanyala who has given Kenya a fresh breath in short distance races crossed the finishing line first on Saturday clocking 10:03. He was however unsatisfied despite having attained the World Championship qualification mark, as he was targeting a sub 10.

Samuel Imeta who finished second clocking 10:25, his personal best will join Omanyala for the Commonwealth Games hoping to stamp his own authority in the race.

In the women category Mary Moraa will be looking to give her motherland a say in the short races in World Championships and Commonwealth games while Maximila Imali will give it a shot in the 100 and 200 m races in Commonwealth games.