Kenyan sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala has exuded confidence in regaining his best form ahead of the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, and the Kipkeino Classic Continental Tour race on Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Nairobi.

Omanyala, who clocked 9.84 to clinch gold in the 2023 edition of the Kipkeino Classic race, is set to seek his third crown in as many appearances as he lights up the Ulinzi Sports Complex track.

The Kenyan will be hoping for an improved outing following a spate of mixed outcomes in the 100 m races he participated in recently.

The African record holder has been beaten twice by South African Akani Simbine, the latest being the Grand Prix races in Botswana and the Rabat Diamond League, where he came second.

He is, however, dwelling on the positives ahead of another travail on home soil, where he had arguably his best race yet.

“Going into tomorrow, you know we have a long season ahead, and we are getting into September in Tokyo. For me, the biggest thing heading into the games and this race is to get into that rhythm. I took about seven months off from competing, and so it’s about getting the rhythm back,” he stated.

“Last time in Rabat showed my style is back, and now getting it together tomorrow in the Kipkeino Classic, I’m praying for a perfect race tomorrow,” he said.

Among his notable achievements of the year has been qualifying the Kenya’s 4×100 m relay team for the Tokyo Games and setting a new record in the 150m races in Atlanta.

Omanyala ran the 150m race in 14.70, breaking the African record and finishing ahead of Terrence Jones of the Bahamas (14.93) and Matthew Boling of the USA (15.15). 

In the absence of stars like Simbine, Omanyala will be up against South African fast-rising star Byanda Walaza.

The Kenyan has sounded wary of placing undue attention on the emerging star, who he holds will be eager to shine against established stars.

“Everyone lining up for the race tomorrow is a tough competitor, and I can’t look down on anyone. You cannot look at the records then. You cannot afford to look down upon anyone,” Omanyala cautioned.

“For the U20 Walaza, he is doing great. It is a privilege to race against him. It will, however, be a race of eight lanes on the track with other sprinters too, and I’m expecting a good race tomorrow,” he concluded.