Africa's Fastest Man Breaks 17-Year Old National Record in France

• Sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala broke a national record that had stood for 15 years on Friday, February 4
• The fastest man in Africa set a time of 6.63 seconds on his debut in the 60 metres at World Indoor Tour's Miramas Meeting in France
• His time beat the previous national record held by Paulvince Obuon since 2005

Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala has begun his 2022 on a high after setting a new national record time of 6.63 seconds on his debut in the 60 metres race.

Omanyala was at the World Indoor Tour's Miramas Meeting in France where he continued his remarkable form on the tracks as he broke the national record that has stood since 2005.

The previous record was held by Paulvince Obuon who clocked 6.70 seconds in January 28 2005 in the United States.

Speaking on his latest feat, Omanyala was full of optimism that he was only going to get better.

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“I had fun. It's a great experience. Though when I started to pick speed the race was over," he said as quoted by Daily Nation.

"I take it as training as I build towards the outdoor season. My target now is to run 6.40 seconds before the World Indoor Championships. I have more races and six weeks to improve on the time."

The African record for the 60 metres race is currently held by Ghanaian Leonard Myles-Mills with 6.45 seconds, while the world record is owned by Christian Cole of the United States with 6.34 seconds.

What next for Omanyala?

Omanyala will have to put his latest achievement behind him fast and focus on upcoming events, as he is set to for two more races in February.

He will compete at the Mondeville Meeting on February 9 and the Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais in Paris on February 17.

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The sprinter revealed he was doing 60 metres to improve his speed at the start of races, something that will thoroughly help his form as he gears up for the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade, Serbia scheduled to take place between March 18-20.

He is also looking forward to the World Athletics Championships Oregon 2022 in Eugene, USA from July 15-24.

Kiprop aiming for comeback

Elsewhere, Sports Brief reported of how former Olympic and World Champion Asbel Kiprop’s tedious wait to compete on the tracks is finally set to come to an end as he completes his doping ban.

Effective Wednesday, February 2, Kiprop is now eligible to compete in games after serving a lengthy ban over alleged doping.

Kiprop has always maintained his innocence, but the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) stood by the ban, and he has not featured on the tracks in the last four years.