Omanyala Loses First Race of Season As Fred Kerley Edges Ahead at Rabat Diamond League

• Fred Kerley won the Rabat Diamond League on May 28
• He beat Africa's fastest man and record holder, Ferdinand Omanyala
• Omanyala finished third, with South African Akani Simbine in second

Ferdinand Omanyala lost his first 100-metre race of the 2023 season as he finished third at the Rabat Diamond League in Morocco on Sunday evening.

World champion, Fred Kerley won the race, with former African champion, Akani Simbine coming in second.

Kerley clocked 9.94 seconds, while Simbine took 9.99 seconds.

Omanyala failed to hit a sub-10 as the African champion finished with 10.05 seconds. The 27-year-old got out of the blocks nicely and glanced at Kerley as they approached the 40-metre mark.

The American then accelerated swiftly, leaving Africa's fastest man behind.

Omanyala attempted to stay close but could only settle for third after a late surge from Simbine.

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During the pre-event pressers, Omanyala had reiterated - in his characteristic bold manner - that he was not going to lose any 100m race this year.

Fred Kerley vs Marcell Jacobs

The race was billed as a contest between Kerley and Olympic champion, Marcell Jacobs, but the latter withdrew yet again with injury.

It was a stacked list with reigning Diamond League champion, Trayvon Bromell (the second-fastest man in history), Yohan Blake and world under-20 champion, Letslie Tebogo in from the start as well.

Before this, Omanyala lit up the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi on May 13, where he clocked 9.84 seconds.

The Commonwealth champion has also won the Botswana Continental Tour Gold and the ASA Grands Prix in South Africa.

Mary Moraa wins 800 metres

At the same event, Commonwealth champion, Mary Moraa destroyed the field to win the women's 800-m race in a time of 1:58:72. Australia's Catriona Bisset came in second with 2:00;11 with American, Hurta-Klecker Sarge finishing third.

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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.