• Kenyans’ hopes for a medal in the 100m at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest were firmly placed on Ferdinand Omanyala
  • The Kenyan sprinter has been having a fantastic season with podium finishes in races he has participated in, including the Diamond League
  • However, Omanyala could not keep up with the lightning speed of America’s Noah Lyles, who won gold

Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala had a disappointing finish in the 100m finals at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

Ferdinand Omanyala's wife, Laventa Amutavi, comforted him through a heartwarming message on Instagram. Photo: Ferdinand Omanyala. Source: Instagram

Ferdinand Omanyala’s wife, Laventa Amutavi, comforted him through a heartwarming message on Instagram. 

The Kenyan sprinter, who had qualified for the finals after clocking 9.97 seconds at the semi-finals leg, coming behind American Noah Lyles (9.95 seconds)

In the finals, Omanyala could not match the pace of the world’s best and came seventh in 10.01 seconds.

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Lyles bagged the gold medal in 9.83 seconds, while Botswana’s Tebogo Letsile clocked a national record with 9.88 seconds.

British national Zharnel Hughes earned the bronze medal.

Omanyala received words of comfort and encouragement from his wife Laventa Amutavi, in a heartwarming post on Instagram.

She wrote:

“You made history. It’s not the results we wanted, but God came through. We saw a miracle and more to come. Super humbled and proud of you. Champions aren’t born. They are built.”

Ferdinand Omanyala's wife cheered on the sprinter after he finished 7th during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. Photo: Ferdinand Omanyala. Source: Instagram

Ferdinand Omanyala’s wife cheered on the sprinter after he finished 7th during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. Photo: Ferdinand Omanyala. Source: Instagram© Provided by Tuko

Omanyala celebrated Omanyala

Kenyans poured their messages of encouragement for Omanyala on social media.

“Ferdinand Omanyala finishes 7th, but so. proud of your journey. We live to fight another day. Congratulations,” wrote media personality Carol Radull.

Radull’s post elicited reactions, and below are some of their comments:

@PeterMukunzi:

“Cheptegei Congratulations. Ebenyo Congratulations too. A Silver is good. Omanyala, thank you for the effort. Appearing in a final is a big thing. Congratulations Kenya. Now aim for the Olympics.”

@M_Twahir:

“The difference between the first and last (8th) is a quarter of a second! Indeed, well done, Ferdinand Omanyala.”

@Realsteve95:

“Omanyala the 7th, congratulations.”

@njokijl100 wrote:

“Just seeing a Kenyan start in the finals of a 100m in a world championship is historic. Absolutely proud of him!”

@MbuguahNelson wrote:

“Indeed yes! We live to fight another day! Well done, Omanyala! It’s by no means easy to achieve what you have achieved so far! Bravo!”

Omanyala sets world leading time

In May, Omanyala set the world-leading time in the 100 meters race at the Kip Keino Classics held in Nairobi.

Omanyala, who has been making waves on the athletics scene, clocked an impressive 9.84 seconds to win at home.

He beat American Kenneth Bednarek (9.98) and Canadian Olympic 4x100m silver medalist Jerome Blake.