Omanyala easily sails through to semi-final of men’s 100m at Paris Olympics

• The qualification for the 100 meters kicked off with several elite athletes looking to secure a spot in the Olympic semi-finals.
• Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala and Italian Chituru Ali were among the first to clinch a semi-final slated for sunday
• The 28-year-old Omanyala recently changed his personal trainer in preparation for the finals of the Paris Olympics event

Ferdinand Omanyala ensured the Kenyan flag at the ongoing Paris Olympic Games was held up high as he coasted to victory in the 100-metre semi-final qualification event.

Africa’s fastest man jogged to an easy victory in the opening heat on Saturday morning.

The African record holder clocked 10.08 seconds to qualify for the semi-finals in his second Olympic appearance.

Kenya's Ferdinand Omanyala during the Men's 100m Round 1 on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on August 03, 2024 in Paris. Image: Hannah Peters.
Source: Getty Images

Omanyala is poised to face off in the semi-finals with several elite runners, including Kishane Thompson.

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Omanyala changes coach

At the end of 2023, the Kenyan flag bearer for the Paris 2024 opening ceremony ended his partnership with coach, Duncan Ayiemba.

Omanyala has since begun training with Geoffrey Kimani, a World Athletics sprints and hurdles lecturer and strength and conditioning consultant for the National Olympics Committee of Kenya, in preparation for the upcoming Olympics.

According to Olympics.com, Kimani’s initial focus has been on weight management, reducing gym time, and improving Omanyala’s diet.

During his Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, Omanyala became the first Kenyan athlete to reach the 100m semifinals, narrowly missing the final by one spot with a then-personal best of 10.00 seconds.

The 28-year-old has made a remarkable comeback since a doping ban in 2017, ascending to become the ninth-fastest man of all time. His achievements have inspired Kenyans and drawn larger crowds to national competitions.

Africa's fastest man, Omanyala, has previously claimed gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and secured two gold medals at the African Championships.

Messi sends messages to Olympic medalist

Legit.ng in another report detailed that Lionel Messi sent a message to Argentina’s first Olympic medalist at the ongoing Paris event.

The Inter Miami captain took to social media to celebrate José Torres Gil, who claimed gold in the freestyle BMX event.

Argentina have so far claimed only one medal at the ongoing Paris Olympics showpiece.

Source: TUKO.co.ke