Kenyan sprint sensation Ferdinand Omanyala was in emphatic form once again, setting a new national record as he finished third in his heat in the 100m semis at the Olympic Games in Tokyo on Sunda.
Omanyala clocked 10.00 as he came home third, but unluckily the time wasn’t good enough to rank among the top two non-automatic qualifying tmes. Only the top two in each of the three heats were qualifying to the final and will be joined by the best two third placed times.
The Kenyan who ran 10.01 to break his previous mark of 10.02 was in sizzling form, despite his heat starting off with a false start.
Once the race started proper, he lifted himself off the blocks, though slow, but steadily grew into the race. In the final 50m, he pushed the tempo, dipping his head beyond the line for 10.00secs.
American Kerley Fred won the heat after timing 9.96secs while Canadian Andre de Grasse timed 9.98secs to finish third. Heat three posted fast times, with China’s Su Bingtian winning in a time of 9.83secs same as USA’s Ronnie Baker.
Italy’s Jacob Lamont was third in 9.84 while South Africa’s Akani Simbine timed 9.90secs in finishing fourth. Both of them went through as the best two third placed finishers.
Despite not making the final, Omanyala will leave heads high having moved from one step to another. He had earlier targeted to become the first Kenyan to ever run the 100m below the 10seconds barrier.
“I believe I can and I believe I am in good shape,” Omanyala said after qualifying for the semis on Saturday.
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