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Africa’s fastest man Ferdinard Omanyala is optimistic of going for a double – 100m and 200m races – during the Paris Olympic Games set for mid this year.

The 28-year-old Omanyala recorded his first 200m win of the season after bringing down the roof at Nyayo Stadium with a scintillating display during the third leg of the Athletics Kenya Track and Field meeting on Friday.

He clocked 20.46 seconds to emerge the winner, beating Samuel Chege, who clocked 20.75 to the second spot and Moses Muriithi came in third with the same time as Chege. Former national 100m champion and record holder Mark Otieno made a return after two years after clocking 10.30.

Otieno, who completed his doping ban on July 30, 2023, and was eligible to compete from August 1, took to his social media pages to express his happiness at making the comeback. He wrote: “It was a great day in the office. Grateful…Race one done and dusted.”

“I had set myself a target of 20.50 and it was the first time though, but I am glad to have run 20.46, I want to build up on this and see where I will be in the 200m, maybe next time I will want to go sub 20.00,” said Omanyala after the race.

He added: “I was very cautious when I came for this race, I was thinking about the curve because last time I ran here I pulled my calf at the end but I am glad I came out unscathed and feeling comfortable to have raced through the curve and hope to double in 100m and 200m at the Paris Olympic Games.”

In the women’s 100m hurdles, Rukia Nusra of KDF clocked 13.71 to set a national record and was followed by Veronica Chebet (14.61) and Gladys Muthoni (14.70).

Africa U20 championship bronze medallist Samuel Kibathi emerged victorious in the men’s 5,000m after clocking 13:49.69 while Kosen Daniel came second in 13:50.95 and Central Rift’s Patrick Kipkurui finished third in 13:58.22.

In the women’s 10, 000m, Rebecca Njeri from Central clocked 34:14.29 to win the final followed by Monica Wanjiku (34:17.90) and Nympha Kiteta (34:21.88).