Omanyala defends national title after posting sub-10 display
By Joel Sang, June 24, 2023Ferdinand Omanyala managed to defend his national crown after posting a sub-10 at the National Athletics Championships held at the Nyayo Stadium on Saturday, June 24, 2023.
The Commonwealth Games champion recorded a 9.96-second display but was able to defend the men’s 100-meter title. Omanyala outsprinted Meshack Babu of the Kenya Defence Forces, who clocked 10.50, while Hesbon Ochieng of the Kenya Prisons finished third after running for 10.58.
Under 10 seconds
Omanyala, who is also the African record holder, led Team Police to victory in the men’s 4x100m relays.
“I am happy I have run under 10 seconds and, of course, to win gold for my employers. I am now taking a break for a few days before competing in the Monaco Diamond League, and the ultimate goal remains the World Championships in Budapest.
“It has been a great championship that I just came to enjoy, and I am happy I achieved my target of sub-10 seconds in the final. It shows that my body is in great shape,” Omanyala told the media.
Some exciting performances were witnessed in the three-day championship held in Nairobi.
Lilian Kasait won the 5000m for women, beating Beatrice Chepkoech, who is the 3000m steeplechase record holder. Kasait was representing the Prisons and clocked 15:01.37 against Chepkoech’s timing of 15:01.78.
In the men’s 5000m category, Police’s Daniel Simiu emerged the winner when he clocked 13:34.25 to beat Kenya Defense Force’s Bravin Kogei, who was second after racing for 13:37.64.
“I am now shifting my focus to the national trials with a target to compete at the national championships,” Simiu told the media after his success.
Chebet beats Cherop
Beatrice Chebet, a Commonwealth Games 1500m champion, emerged as the national champion in the 1500 metres as she clocked 4:06.09 to beat Prison’s Miriam Cherop, who timed 4:07.06.
“The race was competitive. I wanted to work on my speed ahead of the Stockholm Diamond League,” Chebet said.
Simon Koech of KDF became the national champion in the men’s 300m steeplechase after clocking 8:26.58. Pamela Kosgei became the champion in the women’s race after posting 9:35.25 timing.
In the men’s 800m, Kipng’etich Ng’eno, representing Kenya Prisons, was the victor after running for 1:44.90 to outwit Cornelius Tuwei of KDF, who finished second in 1:44.92.
Julius Yego, a former world champion in javelin, claimed the national gong after throwing 81.84 metres, while Alexander Kiprotich of KDF came in second for managing to throw 75.61 75.61m.
Esther Mbagari became the winner in the women’s 100m after claiming her maiden 200m trophy. Ugandan champion Jacent Nyamahunge came in second in 11.81 after she edged Mbagari. The national 100m hurdles champion, Rukia Nusra, timed 11.82 to finish in third place.
Meanwhile, Omanyala is shifting focus to the next international assignment after reigning supreme in the national championship.
He is expected to take part in the Monaco Diamond League that has been slated for Wednesday, July 12, 2023, before the World Athletics Championships that are set to take place in Budapest, Hungary, from August 19 to 17.
“I am completely fine, having done three runs at the championships, and I feel I can do another. Moving five regions around from South Africa, Botswana, Morocco, Italy, and France can affect the systems, but I am sure Monaco will be a pointer of what to expect in Budapest, Omanyala added.
Kenya’s superstar, Faith Kipyegon, will also take part in the Monaco Diamond League circuit as she hopes to break the world record again.
The 29-year-old broke the 1500m world record at the Florence Diamond League on June 2nd before a more breathtaking record in the 5000m in Paris, France, a week later.