Ferdinand Omanyala Biography
| Full Names: | Ferdinand Omanyala Omurwa |
| Known as: | Africa’s Fastest Man |
| Date of Birth: | 2nd January 1996 |
| Age: | 26 Years Old |
| Place of Birth: | Bungoma: Kenya |
| Place of Growth: | Bungoma; KenyaNairobi; Kenya |
| Profession: | Athlete (Sprinter) |
Ferdinand Omanyala Family
His Father is known as Fred Omurwa and his mother is known as Shikanga Omurwa.
Ferdinand Omanyala Education
- Secondary Education
He attended Friends’ School Kamusinga located in Bungoma – Kenya.
He scored a mean grade of A- in his KCSE (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education) exams.
He was also an active rugby player in Form 3 – Form 4.
- University Education
He later joined the University of Nairobi (UON); Chiromo Campus in 2015.
Where he was studying for a bachelor’s degree of Science in Chemistry.
He is currently on hold due to athletics but he promises to finish studying the course.
He wanted to be a drug manufacturer.
Ferdinand Omanyala Relationships
He is engaged to his Fiancee known as Laventa Amutavi.
She is also a 100M sprinter and a long jumper.
Her personal best in 100 Metres stands at 12 seconds.
She has been in athletics since 2015.
They first met in 2016, at a sporting event in Nakuru – Kenya. Whereby they both went running for different companies.
They later ran into each other in a hotel, where he asked for her number, instead of giving him her number, she asked for his but she never texted him.
They later met again in December 2016 when he reminded her to text him.
She later texted him and the chemistry started.
They recently celebrated their 7th Anniversary on 23rd March 2023.
He describes her as his support system and God sent.
She also used to pay the house rent and other bills when he was broke and starting out his career.
Ferdinand Omanyala Son
They are blessed with a son known as Quinton Finn Omanyala.
He turned 4 years old on 18th November 2022.
Ferdinand Omanyala Career Journey
He started his athletics career in Kenya back in 2016.
While he was still a first-year student at the University of Nairobi (UON).
He made the move after a friend noticed his speed while playing rugby.
He then registered for his first run in Mumias – Kenya and later won.
He describes that moment as his biggest foundation in athletics.
In 2016, he made the finals of major championships in Kenya.
In 2017, he made his first Kenyan team to the Bahamas World Relay.
That was the first time he took a flight. He wore a suit the whole flight (over 20 hours).
- Doping
Also in 2017, he received a 14-month suspension following a doping offence.
He tested positive for the prohibited substance betamethasone after he underwent treatment for his back after he was injured during training.
His doctor prescribed him medicine that contained the substance without knowing it’s banned in athletics.
He later proceeded to set new records all over the world. Including;
- On 30th March 2021 at Yabatech Sports Complex in Lagos; Nigeria where he set a national record of 10:01 seconds winning the 100 meters.
- He also set a record of 10:06 seconds in South Africa.
People were still doubting him because they didn’t believe a Kenyan would run that fast.
He used that as motivation and later qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo – Japan.
Where he ran 10:00 Seconds in the Semi-Finals of the 100 meters, hence setting a new national record. He also defeated his mentor: Yuan Blake during the competition.
He later attained his personal best of 9.86 seconds in Pramtalstadion: Andorf – Austria, becoming the first Kenyan to ever break the 10-second barrier.
- 2021 ABSA Kipkeino Classic Continental Tour
During the 2021 ABSA Kipkeino Classic Continental Tour held at Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani – Nairobi: Kenya, he came in second place at a record time of 9:77 seconds behind Trayvon Bromell (USA) running the 2021 world-leading time of 9:76 seconds.
He was awarded his dream car, a Toyota Harrier by Odibets Kenya after his great performance.
- World Athletics Championships Oregon22
He also participated in the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 where he got his visa to travel to the United States barely 24 hours before the start of the competition.
He and his management had earlier stated that they are facing Visa delays hence he may lack the opportunity to run before the Kenyan government through the President acted upon the issue and granted him a Visa.
Against all the odds, he qualified for the 100 metres semi-final after finishing third in heat 7 with a time of 10.10 Seconds.
He later finished 5th in the Semi-Finals with 10.14 Seconds hence not qualifying for the Finals.
- 2022 Commonwealth Games
He later participated in the 2022 Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham where he won a gold medal with a time of 10.02 Seconds. That made him the first Kenyan to ever win a gold medal in the 100-meter race.
He is determined to break more records and raise the Kenyan flag high.
He is the current 100M African record holder and the 8th fastest man in the world in 100M.
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External Sources
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