Omanyala: ‘I know that I will get a medal at a major championship one day’

Ferdinand Omanyala ran 10.07 to win the 100m invitational at the Diamond League final in Brussels, Belgium on Saturday evening and expressed delight at ending his season of ups and downs with a win.

The Kenyan was tipped as one fo the favourites for an Olympic 100m medal after running 9.79 pre-Games and arrived in Paris as the second fastest man in the world.

At the end, the 28-year-old not only failed to break 10 seconds in Paris, he also did not race past the semifinals.

Omanyala believes he will shed his nearly tag one day.

‘This season has been like a rollercoaster. Some ups and downs, but I’m happy to end it here with a good race and a good feeling. I expected more from the Olympics, but that athletics. I just have to keep going and continue to work hard.

‘I know that I will get a medal at a major championship one day, but I just don ́know when it will happen. I want to inspire the younger generation in Kenya. There ́is a lot of sprint talent there and they are starting to realize that. I know that my performances inspire them, and the future looks bright for them,’ said the Kenyan after the race in Brussels.