Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, has chosen to remain positive despite his early exit from the men’s 100m at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo. The Kenyan sprinter, who has carried the hopes of a continent in the sprints, explained why reaching the semifinals was still a blessing for him as he looks ahead to new challenges.
Omanyala managed to sneak into the semifinals after finishing third in his heat with a time of 10.12 seconds. In the semifinals, he ran 10.09 seconds to finish fifth, which was not enough to book a place in the final. Despite the disappointment, Omanyala admitted that even competing in Tokyo was a win in itself after recent struggles with a hip injury that limited his training and preparation.
“Coming to this championship is a blessing for me because I’ve been struggling with a hip injury for the last couple of weeks, so finishing that race, I’m happy,” he said. The sprinter revealed he was only operating at about 85–90 percent fitness but was satisfied with his progress and effort.
What came as a surprise even to him was managing to reach the semifinals. For Omanyala, that was a sign of resilience and determination, and he remains grateful for the lessons learned in the process. Now, his focus is shifting to the men’s 4x100m relay, where Kenya has qualified after an impressive performance at the World Athletics Relays.
The Commonwealth Games champion believes the relay presents an opportunity to make history for Kenya in an event where the country has traditionally not been a powerhouse. He expressed confidence that the team can rise to the challenge and make their mark.
Beyond the relay, Omanyala’s main target is to perfect his craft in the 100m. He has vowed to keep working hard until he gets it right, promising to return stronger in upcoming competitions. His season has been a mixed bag, with appearances across various Grand Prix events, Diamond League meets, and continental competitions, but he remains steadfast in his mission to elevate Kenyan sprinting to new heights.
For Omanyala, the journey is far from over. His semifinal finish in Tokyo may not have been the ultimate dream, but it has only fueled his hunger to achieve more
