Omanyala shifts focus to World Championships and Commonwealth Games after stellar show in Mauritius

After claiming the African 100m title, Kenya's sprint sensation Ferdinand Omanyala has his eyes fixed on gracing the podium in the World Athletics Championships set for next month in Eugene, Oregon.

Omanyala, dethroned South African Akani Simbine in the recently concluded African Championships held at the Cote d'Or National Sports Complex in Mauritius where he clocked 9.927 ahead of Simbine who timed 9.930 seconds.

Team Kenya due home after topping medal standings in Africa Athletics Championships

The African record holder who was among the tens of athletes who jetted back to a grand reception by top government officials among them is Sports Cabinet Secretary for Sports Amina Mohamed said his goal is to become the first African to win a 100m medal in the global championship.

"When I jetted out of the country, I was just a record holder but the title was in custody of someone else. I am happy I completed the circle. The next target I am setting is picking a medal in the World Championships for there is no African sprinter who has ever won one," he said.

Besides challenging for a place on the podium, Omanyala said he was spoiling for a fight with Simbine again in the Commonwealth Games where he will be seeking to dethrone him again.

"I am doing all the Championships this year. After Oregon I will be heading to the Commonwealth Games where I will be taking the gold medal again from Simbine," he said.

However, Omanyala will have to battle for a slot in the Kenyan team for both events in trials slated for next week at the Kasarani Stadium.

The trials were earlier slated for last month at the same venue but were called off after the Athletics Kenya and the National Olympic Committee of Kenya who are tasked with selecting and preparing teams for the Commonwealth and World Championships agreed to push them back.

"The sprinters who were part of the relay team are so motivated after conquering Africa. We are coming from low altitude to high ones and I expect some pretty fast times," he said.

Nicholas Kimeli breaks Kipchoge’s record in Rome

With his sprinting career on an upward trajectory, Omanyala is hopeful that the relevant authorities will set up camps meant to mold more sprinters.

The Police runner who hopes to lower his personal best to 9.6 seconds in the global event said there were unexploited talents and potential but lack of structures was the biggest impediment as far as grooming more sprinters was concerned.

"I hope to continue breaking records that will trigger someone to come forth and support sprints. I pray that we will have a camp in sprints in the near future," he appealed.