Sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala has announced that he will not compete in the 2025 Diamond League Finals after suffering from recurring injuries.
In a statement on Monday, August 25, he revealed that he has been battling persistent hip and muscle problems that have affected his preparation.
Despite the setback, Omanyala noted that he is determined to be in peak condition for the World Championships in Tokyo later this year.
"Due to recent hip, iliopsoas, and gluteal pain experienced over the past few weeks, I regret to inform you that I will be unable to participate in the Diamond League Finals 2025. I am optimistic about my recovery and anticipate being fully fit for Tokyo," he said.
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The 2025 Diamond League Final, also known as the Wanda Diamond League Final, will take place in Zurich, Switzerland, on Wednesday, August 27, and Thursday, August 28.
Part of the competition will be held in a street event at Zurich’s Sechseläutenplatz on Wednesday, with the majority of championships and finals taking place at Letzigrund Stadium on Thursday.
Omanyala's journey into athletics began unexpectedly. Initially a rugby player, he switched to sprinting in 2015 after friends noticed his speed.
Within weeks, he clocked 10.40 seconds in his first 100m race in Kakamega, signaling the start of a remarkable athletic career.
Since then, he has shattered national records and emerged as Africa’s fastest man, with a personal best of 9.77 seconds in the 100m.
Omanyala's 2025 season commenced with a third-place finish at the ASA Grand Prix in Pretoria, clocking 10.22 seconds. He quickly bounced back in Johannesburg with a victory in 10.08 seconds.
His performance at the Adidas Atlanta City Games was particularly notable, as he clinched the 150m title with a Kenyan national record of 14.70 seconds.
In the Diamond League, Omanyala showcased his talent with a second-place finish in Xiamen, China, recording 10.13 seconds.
However, his performance in Shanghai was less than stellar, as he finished last with a time of 10.25 seconds.
Despite these fluctuations, he secured a second-place finish in Rabat, Morocco, with a time of 10.05 seconds.
At the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi, Omanyala faced stiff competition.
Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy stunned the crowd by winning the 100m in 9.98 seconds, while Omanyala settled for third place with a time of 10.07 seconds.
