Ferdinand Omanyala: Athletics is the best thing that ever happened to me

Athletics is one of the toughest careers, but Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala has found peace in it. From training to sleepless nights and racing, athletes go through a lot, but the rewards are generous if you follow the protocol and don’t miss a day.

Ferdinand Omanyala began his career as a rugby player before switching to sprinting in 2015, clocking 10.4 sec in his first race in Kakamega. The Kenyan had a remarkable 2022 season, as he made his indoor debut and qualified for his first World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

Ferdinand Omanyala also won the 100m title at the Commonwealth Games, forcing defending champion Akani Simbine to settle for second place.

The Kenyan speed king also excelled in the 2023 season, qualifying for the World Championships, but failed to make a mark, reaching the final but missing the podium.

In 2024, Ferdinand Omanyala was in a class of his own again, clocking a world-leading time of 9.79 sec at the Kenyan Olympic Trials.

He competed at the Paris Olympics and finished his season with an invitation to the 100m at the Diamond League in Brussels.

“I can say that this is the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life. Athletics and my development through it, and 2022 has set me up for what will be a rewarding career”, said Ferdinand Omanyala. “It’s a great thing, it’s my job, I wake up and go to sleep with athletics. So for me, it’s the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life”, added he.

Ferdinand Omanyala has already started his 2025 season, competing in the Diamond League in Xiamen and Shanghai, where he finished second and ninth respectively.