Ferdinand Omanyala thrilled with progress after first sub-10 performance of the season

© Wanda Diamond League.

Ferdinand Omanyala thrilled with progress after first sub-10 performance of the season

Joel Omotto 09:45 - 26.05.2024

Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala has expressed his delight after dipping under 10 seconds for the first time this season during the Prefontaine Classic on Saturday.

Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala was thrilled after clocking his first sub-10 seconds performance of the season following his second place at Prefontaine Classic on Saturday.

Omanyala headed to the Eugene Diamond League looking for his first win and also targeting to dip under 10 seconds for the first time this season and secured one of them when he clocked a season’s best 9.98 for second place in the 100m race won by American Christian Coleman.

It was the second time Omanyala was lining up alongside Coleman this season after the World Indoor Championships where the Kenyan finished fourth while the American won in the 60m dash in March.

Omanyala was not going to be fazed this time and pushed Coleman all the way, the American edging it by just 0.03, in what was a big improvement for the African champion.

“Trusting the process,” Omanyala beamed on social media after the race, accompanying the comment with the results.

It was a big morale booster for the Commonwealth champion who has embraced a laidback approach this season, opting to choose his races and words carefully, as he builds towards the Olympics.

“It's always a good feeling, seeing Kenyans around the world supporting you. It's motivating honestly, and I feel great that I'm giving them something that's exciting,” Omanyala told the media.

“This season is all about progress and I'm glad that the progress is going on well, and we want just to time that Olympic period and get it right then.”

The sub-10 has been coming for Omanyala after he ran 10.00 at the Atlanta City Games last week, a race won by South African Akani Simbine in 9.90, having run 10.03 at the Kip Keino Classic in April where he finished fifth.

Omanyala revealed in April that he is building up slowly to avoid peaking too early and the signs look good ahead of the Paris Games.

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