Ferdinand Omanyala: Africa’s Fastest Man’s Coach Downplays Kip Keino Classic Result

• Ferdinand Omanyala is on the right path, according to his coach
• Omanyala finished a lowly fifth at the Absa 2024 Kip Keino Classic
• His coach has now divulged the plans he has ahead of upcoming races

Ferdinand Omanyala's coach has reiterated that they are on the right track despite the disappointing result at the Absa Kip Keino Classic on April 20.

Omanyala, who was the reigning champion, finished in fifth place with a time of 10.03.

American Olympic silver medalist, Kenny Bednarek, won the race with 9.91 seconds ahead of Liberia's Emmanuel Matadi's 9.99 and Great Britain's Jeremiah Azu's 10.00.

Omanyala's coach: We are on the right track

It was a heartbreaking end to the fans who thronged Nyayo National Stadium for the World Continental Gold Tour, expecting the African champion to reign supreme on home soil.

The result hampered hopes of a better showing at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris 2024, but his coach, Geoffrey Kimani, is not worried.

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The renowned strengthening and conditioning coach admitted that 10.03 was a good start but just not enough to win the Kip Keino Classic. It was Omanyala's first 100m race in over eight months and the first since he switched coaches.

"This now gives us an indication of where we are and what we need to work on as we prepare for the races ahead," Kimani tells Sports Brief.

What next for Omanyala?

The 28-year-old will next compete at the World Relays Championships in Nassau, Bahamas, from May 4. He will headline Kenya's team alongside Mark Otieno, Meshack Baabu, Samuel Chege, Mike Mokamba, and Hesbon Ochieng.

The fastest man on the continent has also stated that he intends to run fewer races this year in a bid to arrive in Paris in top condition. His coach is impressed with his start but insists more needs to be done in subsequent weeks.

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"Our start looks good for now. With a few more races, we should be able to firm up our race model."

The Olympics coach is adamant that nothing is lost yet, with the eyes firmly on the prize at the summer games.

"It's a sprint, yes, but it is still a journey. We need to be in the best condition we can in August."

The Olympics start on July 26, but the World Athletics schedule begins on August 1.

Inside Mark Otieno's journey to redemption

Sports Brief had also previously spoken to Mark Otieno about his redemption journey.

He was banned in 2021 for flouting doping rules just before he competed in the 100 m heats.

Otieno recently took part in the 2024 Kip Keino Classic, where he finished sixth behind Omanyala.