Ferdinand Omanyala Speaks After Finishing Second in Austria

• Ferdinand Omanyala lost his last race before the 2023 World Athletics Championships
• He is still confident after the Josko Lauf Meeting and is focused on Budapest in August
• Africa's fastest man finished second in Austria behind British star Eugene Amo-Dadzie

Ferdinand Omanyala's last 100-metre race before the 2023 World Athletics Championships didn't go as planned, as he finished second behind Britain's Eugene Amo-Dadzie at the Josko Lauf Meeting in Austria.

The African 100m and Commonwealth Games champion clocked 10:08 in the semis before finishing second in 10:07 seconds.

Omanyala's race on Saturday was a week after he registered his first-ever win at the Diamond League, narrowly edging Letsile Tebogo to win the 100m race.

His performance in Austria should definitely worry him because he will come up against tougher sprinters at the World Athletics Championships set for next month in Budapest, Hungary.

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Athletics

The 27-year-old registered his sub-10 race in Austria in 2021. He said the altitude had affected his performance but remained positive ahead of the World Athletics Championships.

Omanyala reacts to Austria race

The African record holder said he is now fully focused on Hungary and fans shouldn't worry about his performance in Austria.

"My body starts to acclimatise after five days, hence no worry. We are on the last phase of the load before we de-load ahead of the World Championships. The road to that event is clear," Omanyala said, via Daily Nation.

The Kenyan record holder will now prepare for the World Athletics Championships scheduled for August 19 to 27.

"10.08 and 10.07 yesterday in Austria. In everything we give thanks. All the races before the world championships done. The road to Budapest is now clear. Trusting the process," he wrote on Instagram.

Michael Johnson backs Omanyala

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Athletics

Sports Brief previously reported on former Olympic and world champion, Michael Johnson backing Omanyala for success ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Hungary.

Africa's fastest man will head to Budapest next month as one of the favourites in the men's 100-metre discipline, after rising rapidly through the ranks as a sprinter since 2021.

Omanyala is currently the fastest man on the continent with a blistering time of 9.77 seconds, as captured by World Athletics, and is both African and Commonwealth Champion.