L. MathekaSpeedster Omanyala hauls Mark Otieno to Tokyo Olympics 100m qualification
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 17.06.21. | 14:19
For the first time in Kenyan history, the country will have representation at the Olympics 100m as sprint sensations Ferdinand Omanyala and Mark Otieno clocked qualifying time at 10.02 and 10.05 respectively at the Olympics trials held at Kasarani.
Controversial sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala laid down yet another marker as he led Mark Otieno to a historic athletics feat of being the first Kenyans to qualify for the Olympic 100m race.
Riadha House favorite Otieno, in continuing his best man services to Omanyala, reaped big from the latter's blistering pace of 10.02 as he also clocked the requisite 10.05 to pick his spot in the plane to Tokyo.
The time has been elusive to Otieno who tried clocking it in Uganda, Zambia and Italy all in vain. Credit though, to the 27 year-old Postal Corporation of Kenya athlete for the tenacity that has seen him secure qualification with just twelve days remaining to the deadline.
"It feels great qualifying for the Olympics on home soil. I had previously set qualifying times out of the country but this was the real deal and my prayer really. I will be making my debut at the Olympics but I won't be looking at any specific competitor. I will be in Tokyo to compete and taking one race at a time," said an elated Omanyala adding that Otieno's brilliant takeoff pushed him to running an amazing race.
On his way to qualifying for the Summer Games, Omanyala set a national record and defeated Otieno, who has held the national recorder since 2015, for the first time and when it mattered the most.
????| History!
— Mozzart Sport Kenya (@MozzartSportKe) June 17, 2021
The moment Ferdinand Omanyala broke the men’s 100m National Record to qualify for #Tokyo2020 Olympics alongside Mark Otieno who posted 10:05
pic.twitter.com/xTEQxoPV4M
Omanyala had run a 10.13 in the first of two semis while Otieno's time in his heat was slower at 10.29.
"My left hamstring has been giving me trouble but nothing could stop me. I just had to show up and fight for this chance. The competition with Omanyala was good. I needed him for the pressure. I am happy he was here with me and he pushed hard for one of us to qualify. Qualifying on home soil was amazing. Last week I was in Switzerland where I ran a 10.29 with a -1.7 so this week I knew something good was going to happen,"
"This is a dream come true as we have chased this chance to represent the country at the Olympics for a while and this is the year. Today's times are telling of a better time ahead and I can see a Kenyan managing a sub 10," said Otieno.
