'I'm Not Going to Joke With Anyone' - Ferdinand Omanyala Puts Rivals and Critics on Notice

Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, has issued a strong warning to his rivals and critics as he prepares to kick off his 2026 season.

The Commonwealth Games champion has come under scrutiny from sections of his fan base after declining an offer to race popular streamer IShowSpeed, a decision some felt was a missed opportunity.

Ferdinand Omanyala has also been involved in a heated online exchange with 2022 world champion Fred Kerley, who questioned the Kenyan sprinter’s place among the sport’s greats and suggested that Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo possesses greater natural talent.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News

Unfazed by the criticism, Ferdinand Omanyala has made it clear that he is ready to go on the offensive, promising a fierce response to anyone who attacks or doubts him as he embarks on the new season.

Ferdinand Omanyala said that he is approaching this year with a far more serious mindset and will no longer tolerate disrespect from any quarter.

He explained that he had previously ignored repeated provocation and criticism, choosing to brush it off rather than respond. However, he has made it clear that this approach has changed, stressing that anyone who targets him, whether rivals or online critics, should now expect a response.

The Kenyan sprinter stated that he will no longer remain silent when confronted, especially in his own online spaces, which he described as personal and professional territory.

He emphasised that he has earned the right to defend himself and his work, adding that he will firmly push back against anyone who crosses the line.

“This year, I'm not going to joke with anyone. People have been poking in my eyes, and I'm like, oh yeah, let me wash it off. But this year, if you come at me, I'll come back at you. I'm not going to joke with any competitor or anybody,” Ferdinand Omanyala told journalist Stephen Ochieng’.

“You come into my comments and start talking the way you want to talk, I'll hit back at you because this is my space. This is my space, and this is what I do. So, having these guys come to me and trying to bring up a conversation that is long gone. We're not going to take it. We saw that with the guys from the US.”

Ferdinand Omanyala added that he intends to confront situations directly and believes that competition thrives on intensity and excitement.

He explained that verbal exchanges are part of building anticipation around races and made it clear that he would respond whenever he was challenged.

According to him, if a rival makes comments about him, he will not hesitate to reply and raise the stakes. He added that he will actively challenge his competitors and even hope for conditions that heighten the rivalry, stressing that he wants to assert dominance from the very beginning of races.

“Yeah, we're going head-on. Like, I'm going to talk to you. If you're going to a competition, we have to bring the hype, right? So if you say something about me, I'm going to say it back,” he added.

“And I'm going to challenge you and make sure that when the organisers do a land draw, they don't put you beside me because I'm going to do badly on you. Yeah, from the start. We're not going to joke this year.”