Omanyala reigns supreme in 100m at Commonwealth trials

Winner 100M Men Ferdinand Omanyala during Athletics Kenya Trials for World Championships and Commonwealth Games at The Moi International sports Center, Kasarani Stadium, June 25, 2022. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Africa's fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala maintained his status as Kenya’s best sprinter after sprinting to victory as the World Athletics Championships and Commonwealth Games trials ended on Saturday at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Omanyala, the national 100m record holder, clocked 10.03 seconds to emerge top ahead of Samuel Imeta. Omanyala has personal best 9.77.

As Omanyala missed the sub 10sec he targeted, Africa 4x100m gold medalist Imeta finished second in a time of 10.25.

The 2015 Africa 400m silver medalist Boniface Mweresa came third.

Omanyala will be Kenya’s sole representative in 100m at World Athletics Championships but will be joined by Imeta at the Commonwealth Games.

The Olympian entered the race having already qualified for the World Championships by virtue of previous achieving the qualification time in Mauritius at the African Championship.

In the women's 100m race, Maximilla Emali cut the tape at a time of 11:19.

Meanwhile, Olympic 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon will only represent Kenya at the World Championships.

This is after deciding to focus away from the Commonwealth Games alongside two-time world 5000m champion Hellen Obiri.

World champions Conseslus Kipruto (3,000m Steeplechase), Timothy Cheruiyot and Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Korir will also compete in both events.