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Ferdinand Omanyala has vowed to bounce back stronger in 2025 after a challenging 2024 season, focusing on redemption.
Commonwealth Games champion Ferdinand Omanyala has opened up about the mental and physical battles that derailed his performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Kenyan sprinter, who holds the record as Africa’s fastest man over 100 meters, has promised an electrifying comeback in 2025, determined to put a disappointing year behind him.
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Reflecting on his journey, Omanyala described the past season as a rollercoaster of triumphs and setbacks.
Despite being one of the fastest men on the planet, his failure to secure a spot in the Olympic final left fans and critics questioning his consistency.
Yet, the 28-year-old remains undeterred, seeing the challenges as stepping stones to greater success.
“Sports mirrors life—it’s never a straight line. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. This year had its challenges, but we are focused on making 2025 a better season,” Omanyala shared as per The Star.
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Mental health proved to be one of his fiercest rivals in 2024. Omanyala admitted that his mindset faltered during key moments of the season, affecting his performance.
“I was dealing with a lot mentally and my focus wasn’t where it needed to be. But now, I’m in a better space and ready to give my all next year,” he revealed.
Despite missing the final in Paris, clocking 10.08 seconds in the semifinals, Omanyala found solace in his season-best performance.
Earlier in the year, he had dazzled at the Kenyan Olympic Trials, posting a blistering 9.79 seconds.
Although the time briefly held the title of world’s fastest, Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson snatched the spotlight with a stunning 9.77 seconds at his national trials.
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Even with the accolades, Omanyala acknowledges the weight of expectations.
“Finishing as the second fastest person in the world is a big achievement. Many people were putting my season on a scale because of the Olympics,” he reflected.
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The disappointment of the Paris Olympics lingers but Omanyala’s resolve is stronger than ever.
With the 2025 season fast approaching, his training regimen has intensified.
Beginning with the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, in March, Omanyala sees each race as a stepping stone toward the ultimate goal: redemption at the World Championships in September.
“We are following a structured training program to get the body in top shape. My first race in March will set the tone for the season and build towards the World Championships,” he explained.
Already meeting the 10.00-second entry standard with a 9.88-second performance at the Silesia Diamond League, Omanyala is leaving no room for complacency.
Beyond his personal ambitions, Omanyala is channeling his energy into nurturing future stars through the Omanyala Foundation.
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The initiative seeks to identify and support young Kenyan sprinters, creating a pathway from primary school to professional athletics.
“The main purpose of the Omanyala Foundation is to nurture sprinters,” he said.
“The pathway has already been set, and I am looking to nurture young talents straight from primary school into high school and then the Omanyala Foundation training camps.”
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