NAIROBI, Kenya, June 21, 2026 – Ferdinand Omanyala says making history at next month’s Commonwealth Games is top of his agenda this season.
The Commonwealth Games 100m champion is not satisfied with the title he won in 2022 in Birmingham and wants to add to his medal collection.
“I am excited about the Commonwealth Games and there’s nothing else that is taking me there apart from history. I want to be the first African…the first person to win it twice, so, that’s the history I’m chasing at the Commonwealth Games,” Omanyala said.
The 30-year-old became the first Kenyan sprinter to hold the Commonwealth Games crown, cruising to victory in 10.02 in the English city.
He was his usual swashbuckling self at the Nyayo Stadium on Saturday, clocking 10.00 to win the men’s 100m at the national trials for the Club Games.
Meshack Babu (10.20) and Mark Otieno (10.32) finished in second and third, respectively.
The three-day competition also doubled up as the Athletics Kenya (AK) National Championships.
However, defending his national title was a minute issue for Omanyala who confessed that his mind is pre-occupied with winning ‘bigger things.’
“The body was on fire, so, plus it was a bit of a negative wind, so, I guess that’s a sub-10, basically. I am excited and I’m happy for that. I don’t count those (national titles), I count the big ones,” the African record holder said.
Before the Club Games in Glasgow — set for July 23-August 2 — Omanyala will be in action in the Dutch city of Hengelo, where he will be competing in the FBK Games on Sunday (June 21).
Omanyala said he is looking to top off a productive week of competition with victory in the World Continental Tour event.
“Of course, busy schedule. I am leaving tonight (Saturday), running tomorrow in Netherlands, but I feel like I’ve already warmed up, so, tomorrow is like my final of the week,” the 2022 African 100m champion said.
His last participation in the same event, in 2024, yielded a first-place finish, after clocking 10.01.
