Editor's Review

Omanyala finished third in the final heat 7 to qualify

Africa's fastest man Ferdinand Omanya has qualified for the 100 metres semi-finals in the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Oregon USA.

The African champion sailed through to the semi-finals after clocking 10.10 seconds behind Edward Osei-Nketia (10.08) and Brown who won the heat in 9.98 seconds. 

This came despite the adversities Omanyala underwent on his course to the United States. His efforts caught the attention of many including the commentators, who hailed him for the qualifications despite landing in Oregon at 2.30 am to get ready for the heats that got underway at 4.50 am East African time.

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Visa delays saw Omanyala leave the country on Thursday, July 14 at 6 pm for a five-hour flight to Doha before connecting another long 17 hours to Seattle, United States.

{Ferdinand Omanyala}

From Seattle, Omanyala had to take another one-and-half hours flight arriving in Eugene at 2.30 am, just 2 and half hours into his race.

Despite this, Africa's 100m greatest left nothing to chance as far as qualifying for the semi-finals is concerned.

America's world leader Fred Kerley was a man of the moment during the second heat after clocking 9.79sec to set the pace.

Omanyala will have enough rest for Sunday's 4 am semi-finals.


In other races, Kenya's Faith Kipyegon and Winny Chebet sailed through to women's 1,500m semis respectively.

Kipyegon won heat 2 by clocking 4:04.53 while Chebet qualified after coming second in heat 3. The semi-finals are on Saturday ahead of the final on Monday.