Akani Simbine Lauds 'Big Name' Ferdinand Omanyala for Putting African Sprinting on the Global Map

Akani Simbine and Ferdinand Omanyala. (Credit:Imago)

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Akani Simbine and Ferdinand Omanyala. (Credit:Imago)

Akani Simbine Lauds 'Big Name' Ferdinand Omanyala for Putting African Sprinting on the Global Map

Joel Omotto 14:36 - 09.05.2025

Ferdinand Omanyala has been praised by his key rival Akani Simbine over the impact he is having on the sprinting scene in Africa.

South African sprinter Akani Simbine may have had a number of battles with Ferdinand Omanyala but he has a lot of respect for the African record holder.

Simbine and Omanyala have continued their rivalry this year, competing in three races already in 2025, with the South African coming out on top.

The two will face off again at the World Athletics Relays this weekend as they look for titles for their respective countries and Simbine has been speaking about the rise of African sprinters, lauding Omanyala and Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, the Olympics 200m champion for the role they have played.

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“There is a friendly rivalry between Letsile and me. Everyone wants to beat the other when it's competition time, but Letsile has respect for me, and I have respect for him,” Simbine said over his rivalry with Tebogo as quoted by Nation.

Simbine Has Lots of Respect for Omanyala

Simbine Has Had the Early Upper Hand Against Omanyala

“I can see that he is doing very well and he has a great future. I understand where he is at the stage of his career, and he sees where I am at in my career. It's like South Africa versus Botswana right now, but let’s not forget Ferdinand Omanyala.

“He is a big name in the sprints, and he has done very well for himself and Kenya as well, so it is not just here down South, but the whole African sprinting story happening now, which is great to see.”

Simbine and Omanyala first faced off this season at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix in April, which the South African won in 9.90, the world’s fastest time this year, as the Kenyan clocked 10.00 seconds for second place.

The pair also clashed at the Xiamen and Shanghai Diamond Leagues, both races won by Simbine, as Omanyala managed second and then ninth position respectively.