Africa's Fastest Man Ferdinand Omanyala Confident of Breaking Usain Bolt's 100m Record

Africa's Fastest Man Ferdinand Omanyala Confident of Breaking Usain Bolt's 100m Record

Fred Kennedy
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:04 PM
  • Ferdinand Omanyala has set his sights on breaking Jamaican icon Usain Bolt's 100 metres world record
  • Bolt inked his name in history books back in 2009 during the IAAF World Championships in Berlin after he posted 9.58 seconds
  • While the record stands to date, American sprinter Christian Coleman came close to breaking the record in 2019
  • On his part, Omanyala currently holds the record for Africa's fastest man after he clocked 9.77 seconds during a previous event

Kenyan sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala has exuded confidence that he can shatter Usain Bolt's 100m world record of 9.58 seconds.

Bolt, a retired Jamaican sprinter set the record back in August 2009 at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin.

Ferdinand Omanyala celebrates with spectators after winning the men's 100m event during the Kip Keino Classic at the Kasarani stadium. Photo by SIMON MAINA.
Ferdinand Omanyala celebrates with spectators after winning the men's 100m event during the Kip Keino Classic at the Kasarani stadium. Photo by SIMON MAINA.
Source: Getty Images

According to talkSPORT, the 35-year-old broke the men’s 100m world record three times between 2008 and 2009, with his final time of 9.58 seconds standing unbeaten to this day.

American sprinter Christian Coleman is the only athlete who has come closest to shattering Bolt's record after he posted 9.76 seconds in 2019.

Ferdinand Omanyala convinced he can break Usain Bolt's record

While anyone running faster than Bolt's 9.58 seconds appears almost impossible, Omanyala is confident it can be done.

According to the 26-year-old, he has what it takes to smash the record in the near future in a milestone that would see him ink his name in history books.'

Omanyala is currently Africa's fastest man thanks to his 9.77seconds personal best that has him placed eighth on the list of the world's fastest men in history.

“I have started to get a perfect start and in the last four, I have been really good. It is just about the fifth to 10th step where there’s a bit of delay. I want to correct on that and improve on the transition from low drive to top speed running. If I get it smooth I believe I will save up to 0.3secs of my MP,” a confident Omanyala told Capital FM.

“I believe it is possible (breaking Bolt's record). One day one time Kenyans will wake up in the morning to see on their screens that I have broken the World record and I am really prepared for it," he added.

Ferdinand Omanyala loses his first race in the 100m this season

Sports Brief had earlier reported that Kenyan sprint sensation Ferdinand Omanyala tasted defeat for the very first time this season in the 100m race.

Omanyala went down at the Internationales Leichtathletik meeting at the Paul Greifzu Stadium in Germany.

Omanyala finished second behind Sri Lankan international, Mudiyanselage Yupun Abeykoon. He ran a season-low of 10.14 seconds which was slower than Yupun’s 10.04 seconds. Yupun’s time was his personal best.

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Fred Kennedy
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