Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala fell short of his desired goal of a podium finish in the 100 m at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA.
This is after the national hero came in fifth in the ongoing global event.
The 26-year-old sprints sensation clocked a slow 10.14 in the heat, missing out on the two automatic and the two non-automatic qualifying spots for the final.
However, despite the setback, Omanyala said the challenge can only make him better ahead of bigger events in the near future.
“Every challenge you face today makes you stronger tomorrow. The challenge of life is intended to make you better, not bitter. Persistence and resilience only come from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems. No matter how much falls on us, we keep moving,” Omanyala said.
Omanyala’s debut at the global event was flawed with confusion and chaos, having arrived in Oregon just three hours to his first race and limited time to prepare for the race.
The 26-year-old police officer was among other athletes at the risk of being locked out of the Oregon 2022 competitions after visa delays which stirred controversy on social media.
Meanwhile, Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Fred Kerley is the fastest man in the world this season.
This is after Kerley led a US sweep in a spectacular fashion as he powered past Marvin Bracy-Williams and Trayvon Bromell in the final strides to win the gold in 9.86 and claim the title of the world’s fastest man.
Bracy-Williams and Bromell, who were both timed in 9.88, took silver and bronze respectively.
It marked the third US sweep of the 100 m medals and the first since 1991, when Carl Lewis, Leroy Burrell and Dennis Mitchell went 1-2-3 at the World Championships in Tokyo.
This time, the sweep came on home soil in front of a full crowd at the first World Championships held in the United States.