Bromell, Omanyala renew rivalry as chase for sub-10 continue in Rome

A sub-10 seconds race continues to evade Commonwealth Games100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala this season, and after a third-place finish on home soil, he takes the chase to Rome. 

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In what will be his fourth Diamond League (DL) race on Friday 6 June, in the Italian capital, Omanyala takes on a loaded field headlined by American sprinter and 2022 DL winner Trayvon Bromell. 

Heading to Saturday's Kip Keino Classic, the African 150m and 100m record holder had expressed eagerness to dip under the 10 seconds mark but could only muster a 10:07 in a race won by Australian Kennedy Lachlan in 9:98 to register a personal best (PB). 

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"I am still chasing a sub-10 this season and getting it at home would be incredible," Omanyala said before the race, and after he shared; "This is part of the build up for my main target of the season and despite falling short I know I am on the right track." 

His 10.00 performance at the FNB Botswana Golden Grand Prix remains his best thus far. His second best time came in his last DL race in Rabat where he clocked 10.05 to finish behind race winner, the unbeaten Akani Simbine. 

Two-time world bronze medalist (2015 and 2022), and gold medalist at the Indoor World Championships in Portland in 2016, Bromell who carries a PB of 9.76 achieved in 2021, comes to the race on the back of a season-opening 9.91 (+0.7) in Florida. That time was his fastest since the 2022 season and makes him the second fastest man in the world this year, being Simbine's 9.90. 

Their clash brings back fond memories as the duo ran their respective PB's in the same race, at the 2021 Kip Keino Classic where the American won in a then world-leading 9.76 ahead of Omanyala’s African record of 9.77 (1.2m/s).

Americans Fred Kerley and Courtney Lindsey will also toe the line in Italy. Kerley sports a season best 9.98. He finished third over 100m in Rabat.

Lindsey currently leads the Diamond League Standings in the men's 200m. He won the 200m event in Rabat and finished second in Doha. His season-best over 100m is a 9.97.

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Another sprinter who has stood out in recent days, Colombian Ronal Longa, who tied the South American record at the Savona meeting with 9.96 is also on the start line. 

Italians Filippo Tortu and Chituru Ali, Cameroonian Emmanuel Eseme , and Japanese Abdul Hakim Sani Brown add to the depth.