At the Elite Indoor Track Meeting in Miramas, France, on Friday night, Ferdinand Omanyala made a spectacular start to his indoor career by winning the men’s 60-meter race.
Establishing himself as Africa’s fastest man, Omanyala displayed his prowess from the outset, delivering an impressive semifinal performance with a commanding time of 6.62, ensuring his advancement to the final. In the ultimate face-off, Omanyala clocked an impressive 6.52, not only claiming the top spot but also shattering the national record previously set at 6.54. This previous record was set by Omanyala at the Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais in France last year.
With a time of 6.61, Emmanuel Eseme of Cameroon took second place, and Arthur Cisse of Ivory Coast crossed the finish line in third place with a time of 6.62. Following this triumph, the Commonwealth Games champion now sets his sights on the upcoming Indoor Meeting in Paris scheduled for February 14. This strategic participation is a crucial step in Omanyala’s preparations for the World Indoor Championships, slated for March 1 to 3 in Glasgow, Scotland.
Photo by: lacremehebdo.com
Omanyala’s current season commenced with a 400m race at the second Athletics Kenya meet at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, where he secured a fifth-place finish. He then transitioned to the 200m event at the third AK meet at the Nyayo National Stadium, winning with the fourth-fastest time globally.
This impressive start marks the beginning of Omanyala’s journey towards the Olympic Games, with the athlete aiming for success comparable to his achievements last year. In 2023, Omanyala triumphed in three out of four races during his indoor tour, starting with a second-place finish at the Elite Indoor Track Miramas meeting. He continued his success at the Mondeville Meeting and the Meeting de Paris before concluding his indoor tour at the Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais.
