Ferdinand Omanyala Eyes Collen Kebinatshipi's Mark at Kip Keino Classic

Ferdinand Omanyala will be chasing the fastest 100m time in the world this year when he lines up at the Kip Keino Classic on Friday, April 24, at Nyayo National Stadium, determined to make a strong statement on home soil.

The current world-leading mark stands at 9.89 seconds, set by Collen Kebinatshipi at the Botswana National Championships on April 3, and Ferdinand Omanyala is aware that he must deliver something special to challenge that benchmark.

“Now that I have built up momentum, I have to stand on business at the Kip Keino,” Omanyala said. “I am hoping for a sub-10-second race, but at the back of my mind, I am looking at the world lead.”

Despite the quality of the field assembled for the Kip Keino Classic, Omanyala insists his focus remains firmly on execution rather than opposition, signalling confidence ahead of the race.

“I respect all the athletes who have come out, but the race is not about them. It’s about running and chasing the finish line. Whoever comes, we will go head-on,” he said.

His resurgence has also been linked to a return to familiar coaching guidance under Duncan Ayiemba, a move Omanyala believes has restored balance to his preparation.

“Dan is the right doctor for me. We have worked together for a couple of years, so I thought it wise to go back to the drawing board,” he said.

“A couple of things have been put together. The world is also evolving, and we have to move with it. The team is working around the clock to ensure we get back on top.”

The Kenyan sprint star has shown signs of revival after a challenging period that disrupted his rhythm on both local and international circuits.

His resurgence was evident at the Addis Ababa Grand Prix, where he dipped under the 10-second barrier for the first time in nearly two years, clocking 9.98 seconds.

That performance marked a clear turning point following a season affected by injury and inconsistent training.

“When we started last season, I had an injury, and I was struggling in training, running some very weird times,” he admitted.

“For those who saw me running in Ethiopia, they could see I have my smile back, so now it’s just about building on that.”

The Kip Keino Classic has played a defining role in Omanyala’s rise, serving as a platform for some of his most memorable performances on the global stage.

“It’s six years since I got into the professional setting, and it’s here at Kip Keino that I got the African record."

“I have been using it as a growth tool for me, and I am looking forward to running as many Kip Keinos as I can.”

It was at the 2021 edition that he first captured global attention, setting a stunning African record of 9.77 seconds while finishing second behind Trayvon Bromell.

He returned dominantly in 2022, winning in 9.85 ahead of Fred Kerley and Isaiah Young, before successfully defending his title in 2023 with a 9.84 run.

However, the last two editions have proven more challenging, with a fifth-place finish in 2024 (10.03) followed by third place last year (10.07), setting the stage for what could be a defining comeback performance in Nairobi.