Omanyala beats Malkia trio to win Sports Personality award

Ferdinand Omanyala poses with his LG Sports Personality of the month award yesterday. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Africa men’s 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala is the LG Sport’s Personality for the month of September.

He achieved the feat following his stellar performance in the Kenyan round of the prestigious 2021 World Athletics Continental Tour Gold Series held at MISC Kasarani in Nairobi on September 18.

During the event dubbed ‘Kip Keino Classic’, Omanyala beat former Olympic great Justin Gatlin to emerge second in 9.77 behind American Trayvon Bromell who won the race in 9.76.

At the same time, Omanyala shattered South Africa’s Akani Simbine’s African record (9.84) to be the fastest human in the continent.

He also emerged as the eighth fastest man in  history in the category.

“It’s such a great feeling winning this award. It’s something I’ve been eyeing since January,” Omanyala told Standard Sports.

“It’s so motivating seeing someone recognises your effort and I thank God for that.”

To win the award, Omanyala floored other top nominees including the late Agnes Jebet Tirop who clocked 30:01 to set a new world record in women’s only 10 km road race at the Adizero Road To Records meet in Germany. Tirop slashed 28 seconds from the previous world record.

Other nominees were Malkia Strikers captain Mercy Moim who was the best receiver at the CAVB Women’s African Nations Championship in Rwanda, Sharon Chepchumba who was the best attacker, Gladys Ekaru who was the best blocker and Noah Kibet who won the 800 metres race at the Kip Keino Classic by clocking 1:44.97.

In winning the coveted monthly award, Omanyala took home  an LG SolarDOM Oven worth Sh65,000. 
The oven is a 3-in-1 oven that is used for heating, grilling and baking.

Omanyala joins the growing list of winners which includes tennis star Angela Okutoyi (January), basketballer Tylor Okari Ongwae of Kenya Moran’s (February) boxer Elly Ajowi (March), reigning world marathon champion Ruth Chepng’etich (April), Milan marathon winner Titus Ekiru (May), Safari Rally WRC3 winner Onkar Rai (June), Victoria Reynolds (July) and Faith Kipyegon (August).