Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme on What He Must Work on To Become Africa’s Fastest After Shocking Omanyala in Rome

Emmanuel Eseme after finishing second at Rome Diamond League. Image || IMAGO

Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme on What He Must Work on To Become Africa’s Fastest After Shocking Omanyala in Rome

Mark Kinyanjui 13:21 - 09.06.2025

Cameroon's Emmanuel Eseme has revealed what he must work on in order to become Africa's next fastest man after an impressive display in the 100 meters at the Rome Diamond League classic on Friday.

Cameroon sprint star Emmanuel Eseme has revealed what he must do to be bestowed the title of Africa’s fastest man after his impressive 9.99-second display at the Rome Diamond League classic on Friday.

The race was won by USA’s Trayvon Bromell, a two-time Olympian and two-time world bronze medallist, who produced his fastest time in the event in over three years to blitz the field, starting quickly and never looking back to cross the line in 9.84 seconds.

This was the 29-year-old's fastest legal run since his 9.81 at the U.S. Nationals in June 2022. It was also two-hundredths faster than Kenny Bednarek's previous world lead, set at the Philadelphia Grand Slam Track meet. 

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Bromell's win was a dominant one. His closest challenger, Emmanuel Eseme of Cameroon, finished a full 0.15 seconds behind in 9.99, with Kenya's Ferdinand Omanyala third in 10.01.

The 2022 world champion Fred Kerley – with whom Bromell shared the podium in Eugene that year – was down in fifth, in 10.06 after fading quickly around halfway in.

Eseme Targets Improvement After Achilles Injury Comeback

Eseme Targets Improvement After Achilles Injury Comeback Speaking after the race, Eseme — who is back racing after a spell on the sidelines nursing an Achilles tendon injury — admitted being underwhelmed by his performance despite dipping below 10 seconds.

“I am happy about the result, it is the season's best. I thank God for this,” Eseme said. “But I was expecting to do better timewise.

“ I focused on executing the race well, but I do not know if the start was really good. I really have to work on the start and the transition. I have come back from an Achilles tendon injury on the right foot. But it is getting better. I missed indoors because of this injury. 

“This was my fourth Diamond League race this year. I have a great coach and a great manager, so I got in the circuit this year.”

Eseme has represented Cameroon on numerous international stages, steadily rising through the ranks to become one of the country's leading track athletes.

 He made his Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games and has also competed at the World Athletics Championships, including the 2019 edition in Doha, where he reached the semifinals in the 200m.

Eseme is known for his consistency and discipline, often leading Cameroon’s sprint contingent in regional and global competitions. In addition to his World Championship and Olympic appearances, Eseme has had a strong presence on the African athletics circuit.

He won a bronze medal in the 100m at the 2022 African Championships and has continued to improve his personal bests over the years.

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