Omanyala welcomes Simbine's Grand Prix challenge

After bossing the field at the opening ASA Grand Prix in South Africa on Wednesday 12 April, Commonwealth Games 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala is looking to line up against local star Akani Simbine in the next race.

Omanyala’s stay in South Africa, extends for another week as he prepares to race in the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Grand Prix 2 set for Wednesday 19 April.

Peerless Omanyala storms to victory in ASA Grand Prix 1

In his first of five races that will culminate at the Kip Keino Classic on 13 May, the 27-year-old clocked 10.12 seconds to fall short on his target of a sub-10 in the race and is ready to make up for the miss.

“It was a good race. South Africa is always like my second home. I am excited to come here as it feels like home with the fans and the atmosphere.

I was expecting a sub 10 seconds in the first race after six weeks out but a win is a win and we focus on next week’s race where I hope to run faster,” Omanyala said after the race.

“Everything is falling into place and I am happy with my training. I know the next two races will be faster and they will help me gauge how close I am to the 9.6 seconds target for the season.

I am hoping that Simbine competes next week, but if he does not, I am sure in Botswana for the FNB Golden Grand Prix set for 29 April if he does not come in for the second ASA Grand Prix,” Omanyala who broke Simbine’s African record at last year’s Kip Keino Classic added.

The Botswana event is this year’s second World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting and has attracted among other stars Multiple Olympic and world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.