Supersonic Omanyala Reviving Hope For Team Kenya In Birmingham

Africa's fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala has beat all odds at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, by clocking a striking 10.07 seconds, in heat 5, to qualify for the 100 metres semi finals. Omanyala won the fifth heat of the first round of the 100 metres at Alexandra Stadium in Birmingham by beating the second-placed Emmanuel Eseme using the photo-finish rule, with the Cameroonian adjudged to have used 10.08 seconds.

His counterpart Samwel Imeta, also qualified after finishing second in heat 9. Imeta ran a powerful race to clock a personal best of 10.12 seconds.

This comes only a few days after Kenyans had started losing hope with team Kenya at the competitions after Kenyans lost to Tanzania and Uganda in the 10,000 metres marathon race. Uganda’s Victor Kiplangat took the honours a time of two hours 10 minutes and 55 seconds despite appearing to go the wrong way at one point.

He still won by one minute 34 seconds ahead of Alphonce Simbu of Tanzania, with Kenya's Michael Mugo Githae completing the placing.

Defending Commonwealth champion, South Africa’s Akani Simbine, also qualified for the 100 metres semis.

Despite the worrying trend for Kenyan athletes in the long-distance races, Omanyala is optimistic that he is bringing gold home.

We wish him well. Go Omanyala! Go Team Kenya!