Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala set a fast time record of 10.05 seconds to book a date with familiar foe South African Akani Simbine in the ongoing 22nd Africa Senior Athletics Championships at Cote d’Or National Sports Complex in Reduit, Mauritius.
Omanyala edged out Nigerian Raymond Kevwo to second place in 10.11 in the opening heat of the semi-final race.
Both claimed the automatic slots in the semi-finals that are programmed to start at 3.05pm Wednesday.
Omanyala’s compatriot Samuel Imeta finished second behind defending champion Akani Simbine from South Africa as both qualified from the fifth heat. Imeta clocked 10.34 against Simbine’s 10.14.
Prior to the meetings, Omanyala was upbeat ahead of the Africa Senior Athletic Championships.
Omanyala is among the Kenya contingent of 55 athletes, 25 women and 30 men that are competing in Reduit, Mauritius, where the championships will run from June 8 to 12 at Cote d’Or National Sports Complex.
The African champion in an interview said he is out to fight for medals in the upcoming event saying he has recovered from an injury that kept him out of the World Athletics continental tour.
“I want to win medals in Mauritius and fight for medals and that’s my focus for now,” Omanyala said.
The athlete who competes in their events, 100m, 200m and the relays said he is in perfect form and his preparations have been at par heading to Mauritius.
“My preparations were great I can’t complain,” said Omanyala.
This will be the first assignment for Omanyala after he was laid off in the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold at the Golden Spike in Ostrava, Czech Republic last Tuesday.
The national team will be hoping to surpass results from the previous edition in Asaba, Nigeria in 2018 where they managed 19 medals.
Kenya led the continent with 11 gold, six silver and two bronze medals.
Omanyala will be seeking a hat-trick of titles in 100m, 200m and 4x100m.