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Ferdinand Omanyala’s Journey to the 2025 World Athletics Championships
Ferdinand Omanyala, the fastest man in Africa, has taken a significant step forward in his career by receiving a brand new 2025 model car as a reward for his consistent performances on the track. This latest achievement highlights his dedication and commitment to improving his athletic abilities, especially as he gears up for the upcoming Kenyan trials.
Preparing for the 2025 World Athletics Championships
The 29-year-old sprinter is currently preparing for the Kenyan trials that will determine who will represent the country at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan. Omanyala is aiming to secure a medal at this prestigious event, which marks a crucial goal in his career. His performance in the previous year, however, was not without its challenges.
A Challenging 2024 Season
Omanyala’s 2024 season was marked by some disappointments. Despite high expectations, he reached the semifinals of the Paris Olympics but failed to secure an Olympic medal. In the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, he finished seventh in the 100m final, further intensifying the pressure on him to deliver strong results in Tokyo.
The Start of the 2025 Season
Omanyala began his 2025 season with a mix of ups and downs. He faced a surprising loss in South Africa during the ASA Grand Prix in March but quickly bounced back with a win in Part II of the event. At the Botswana Grand Prix in April, he encountered a tough challenge against his longtime rival, Akani Simbine, who has been the top performer in 2025.
Performance in the Diamond League
Omanyala made his debut in the Diamond League in Xiamen, where he finished second behind Simbine with a time of 10.13 seconds. However, his performance in the second Diamond League race in Shanghai/Keqiao was less impressive, as he came in last with a time of 10.25 seconds. Despite these setbacks, he managed to finish second in Rabat and third in Rome. Still, he is waiting for his first sub-10 race, which is essential for qualifying for the Tokyo championships, requiring a time of 10.00 seconds.
Focus on Enjoyment and Improvement
In a recent interview, Omanyala emphasized the importance of enjoying the sport. “This season, we just want to enjoy athletics. I mean, at some point I was losing it, I was swayed by other things and I lost focus along the way in terms of what am I doing in this track, so this year, I want to enjoy track, we want to appreciate every moment that we step on that track,” he said.
New Car and Sponsorship Deals
Omanyala recently upgraded his vehicle, swapping his 2024 Toyota Hilux double cabin for the 2025 model. The new car, priced between 4.5 and 8.5 million Kenyan shillings, reflects his success and achievements. The Kenyan sprinter has also been involved in several sponsorship deals, including a major partnership with Toyota, where he became their ambassador for the Toyota Hilux. In November last year, he shared a photo of a custom Prado model and was gifted a Toyota Harrier by one of his sponsors.
Upcoming Trials and Qualifications
Omanyala is set to participate in the Athletics Kenya (AK) trials on July 22, which will determine the athletes representing Kenya at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. He has already met the required qualification mark set by World Athletics and may be exempt from the trials. AK will select the top three athletes in each category, provided they meet the qualification standards. Omanyala is the only Kenyan in the men’s 100m who has qualified so far.
Looking Ahead
As Omanyala continues his preparations for the Tokyo championships, he faces both opportunities and challenges. Other athletes like Mark Odhiambo are hoping to achieve the 10.00-second mark to qualify for the event. Defending world champions such as Faith Kipyegon and Mary Moraa have also been included in the list, though they have wild cards already.
Reflections on the 2024 Season
In a related story, Omanyala reflected on his difficult 2024 season, where he expressed frustration after the Olympics in Paris. He admitted to blaming God and even deleted Bible apps from his phone during a moment of despair. Despite these challenges, Omanyala remains focused on his goals and continues to work hard to achieve success in the upcoming events.
