Kenya is known for its world-class endurance runners and javelin thrower Julius Yego. Now the country is becoming a world-class ability for men’s 100-meter run as well, Ferdinand Omanyala.
Ferdinand Omanyala, 25, ran a new Kenyan record of 10.01 on Tuesday in the Nigerian capital, Lagos. The country’s previous record in the 100 metres was Mark Otienon’s 10.14 (2017). Omanyala’s own record before Tuesday was 10.29. In January, he had clocked a time of 10.11 in his home country but the headwind was too strong.
Omanyala has served doping offense. He was out of competition for 14 months in 2017 and 2018. The doping offense may keep her out of the Tokyo Olympics, as the Kenya Athletics Federation has restricted the participation of doped-affected athletes participation in the competitions.
Kenya’s best sprinting achievements have come in 400-meter long runs. The country achieved Olympic gold in the men’s 4 x 400m race in 1972. Nicholas Bett won the World Championship gold in the 400m hurdles in 2015.