Omanyala, Lyles to renew rivalry at Racers Grand Prix

African and Commonwealth champion Ferdinand Omanyala will renew his rivalry with triple sprint champion Noah Lyles when the two lock horns at the Racers Grand Prix in Kingston, Jamaica.

The meet, which will last two and a half hours, will include competitors participating in 13 events, including the men’s and women’s 100, 200, flat 400 meters, 400 metres hurdles, sprint hurdles, long jump, triple leap, and discuss.

Men’s 100m – Racers Grand Prix (Updated Startlist)

🇺🇸 Noah Lyles
🇬🇧 Zharnel Hughes
🇰🇪 Ferdinand Omanyala
🇯🇲 Oblique Seville
🇺🇸 Josephus Lyles
🇯🇲 Tyquendo Tracey
🇺🇸 Kendal Williams
🇯🇲 Kadrian Goldson

— World Athletics Hub (@wldathleticshub) May 23, 2024

Both Lyles and Omanyala were in action last weekend at the Atalanta City games, Lyles breaking the American record in the 150m race, clocking a 14.41 while Omanyala came second in the 100m race, clocking 10.00 behind South Africa’s Akani Simbine who clocked 9.90.

Lyles won the 150m race in the last edition, clocking 19.67 ahead of second-placed Zharnel Hughes who clocked 20.14. Both athletes will line up in the 100 in this year’s edition.

The Kenyan speedster had to settle for second, behind Lyles when the two met during the Spitzen Leichtathletik Luzern in Switzerland on August 30, 2022, before falling to the American in less than a week at a World Athletics Continental Silver Tour in Zagreb.

Lyles then closely beat Omanyala at the Paris Diamond League in June 2023, clocking 9.97 to Omanyala’s 9.98.

Omanyala will be keen to improve his time ahead of the Paris Olympics.

Hansle Parchment, the Olympic 110 hurdles winner, will be up against American Trey Cunningham, Jamaica’s Tyler Mason, and Damion Thomas, the former under-20 World record holder.

The men’s 200-meter field will include Trinidadian Jareem Richards, Brendon Rodney, Nigel Ellis, and Brian Levell.

Antonio Watson, the defending World 400 meters champion who won the race in Budapest last year, will be joined in the competition by Demish Gaye, Zadrian Barnes, and a returning Jevaughn Francis.

Candice McLeod, Stacy Ann Williams, Cherokee Young, and Juneile Bromfield will compete in the women’s 400-meter race.