Ferdinand Omanyala Breaks 32-Year Record in Mauritius

Ferdinand Omanyala
Africa's fastest man in the 100m race Ferdinand Omanyala during the AK Track and Field competition today at Nyayo National Stadium.
PHOTO:
Courtesy
Ferdiomanyala
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African sensation Ferdinand Omanyala continued his impressive form after bagging gold in the Men's 100 metres final of the 22nd African Senior Athletics Championships event held in Mauritius. 

On Thursday, June 9, Omanyala defeated defending champion - South Africa's Akani Simbine in a photo finish after both men clocked 9.93 seconds. 

With the win, Omanyala has handed Kenya its first Africa 100 metres gold title in 32 years. The previous record was held by Joseph Gikonyo who won both the 100 metre and 200-metre titles at the 1990 Cairo Championships. 

Also Read: Omanyala Reveals His Strict Diet After Winning 100M

The timestamp meant that the Kenyan athlete shattered the Championship record that was initially held by Nigeria's Seun Ogunkoya who clocked in at 9.94 seconds in 1998. 

The win adds on to Omanyala's stellar career as he holds the continental record of 9.77 seconds in the 100 metres event. 

Omanyala now looks to emulate Gikonyo's feat with a double win as he is set to run the 200 metres event on Saturday, June 11. 

On the other hand, 1,500 m champion Winny Chebet retained her title at the event, clocking in at 4:16:10, followed by her counterpart, Purity Chepkirui who recorded 4:16:28. 

Ethiopia's Ayal Dagnachew came in third at 4:16:45 while another Kenyan athlete, Branda Chebet rounded up the top four list at 4:17:25. 

In the women's 100 m race, Gambia's Gina Bass scooped gold in 11.06 seconds, followed by Niger's Seyni Aminatou who clocked in at 11.09. South Africa's Carina Horn rounded up the top three list with 11.08 seconds. 

On Wednesday, June 8, Omanyala clocked in at 10.07 seconds in the semi-final heats in order to earn a spot in the finals. 

The timestamp was the fastest winning time in the three semi-final heats. Only Simbine came a close second with a time record of 10.09 seconds.