Omanyala to battle ‘record hunting’ Lyles in Atlanta Games

Kenyan speedster Ferdinand Omanyala will on 6th May 2023 face another challenge on the track as he takes on three-time World Champion Noah Lyles in the inaugural Adidas Atlanta City Games, set for Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park.

The Olympic Bronze Medalist Noah Lyles was on hand in Downtown Atlanta to announce his intention to compete there this spring.

"We have a lot of track meets that are popular for track and field fans, but we need to go to where the people are. Atlanta is going to be a great place to do that," said Lyles, the American record holder in the 200m and one of the sport's most exciting stars.

"If the weather is good and the track is hot, maybe we will go after a world record in the 150m."

The American on Wednesday night reiterated the same message on his Twitter handle, responding to a tweet by Track_Gazette saying; “Anyone know the World Record for the 150m straight?”

After the response - 14.35 seconds by Usain Bolt - he added another tweet hinting at his effort to break the 150m record saying: “Let’s pray together that coach doesn’t load me in practice before this track meet because I seen some time that look just like that in practice.”

Omanyala is expected to take part in the 150m distance for the first time in his career and the event follows up a brilliant performance for the Kenyan last Saturday when he won the 100m race at the Botswana Grand Prix in a time of 9.78s, beating home boy Letsile Tebogo who ran in a time of 9.91 seconds.

The other notable athlete in the field of nine will be American and world bronze medalist Erryion Knighton.

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Last summer, Knighton, 19, made history as the youngest sprinter to ever medal at the World Athletics Championships with his bronze medal performance at 200 meters. This past weekend, he kicked off his 2023 season with a wind-aided 9.98 in the 100 meters at the Florida Relays.

After the Atlanta City Games, Omanyala will return back to Kenya to take part in the Kip Keino Classic on May 13.