Ferdinand Omanyala to Try New Competition After Controversy at Botswana Grand Prix

• Ferdinand Omanyala will compete in the 150 metres race in this weekend's Atlanta City Games
• The Kenyan has made a name for himself in the 100 metres and this race will be a new challenge
• The 27-year-old has so far had a wonderful outdoor season ahead of the looming Budapest Games

Africa's fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala will try his hand at a new discipline when he takes part in the 150-metre event race at the Atlanta City Games on May 6.

Omanyala is a specialist in the 100 metres - a discipline that has brought him much success since he burst onto the scene at the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Omanyala's Botswana Grand Prix controversy

He has so far won four races this season, with his latest coming at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix last weekend.

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The win was controversial as it was first rescinded due to lane infringement. However, the decision was overturned, but his time of 9.78 seconds will not be recognised as a world lead due to wind speeds of 2.3m/s.

Before that, Omanyala had won the first and second legs of the ASA Grand Prix in South Africa at the Tuks and Germiston stadia, respectively.

Who will Omanyala face?

In Atlanta, the Commonwealth champion will pit his wits against a star-studded field that includes two-time 200 metres world champion Noah Lyles, and 200 metres bronze medalist in Oregon last year, Erriyon Knighton, among others.

Tweeting ahead of the race, Omanyala remained upbeat as he continues with his preparations for the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

"Next stop, Atlanta city games, Atlanta USA. I will be doing 150 metres in this one. Excited to test my top end speed."

The World Record over the distance is held by the legendary Usain Bolt, who clocked a time of 14.35 seconds on May 17, 2009 in Manchester.

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After Atlanta, Omanyala will head back home for the third edition of the Kip Keino classic, where he will headline the third Gold Tour event alongside five-time world champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

Omanyala's wife discusses their journey

When Omanyala stormed into the semi-finals of the 100-metre event of the Tokyo Olympics in August 2021, many thought he would be a passing facade.

Nearly 18 months later, the 27-year-old brought the African record down to 9.77 seconds, won the African title, and then claimed the Commonwealth title.

Sports Brief conducted an exclusive interview with Omanyala's wife, Laventa Amutavi, who gave insight into how her husband became Africa's fastest man.