Kenyan Ferdinand Omaniale challenges Usain Bolt's record

Posted : 12 August 2023

The queen of long-distance running had never been inclined to cultivate world-class sprinters until Ferdinand Omaniale entered the scene. From the remarkable sprint that catapulted him into the top 10 fastest people in history, to his involvement in a banned substances scandal, to his ambition of surpassing Usain Bolt's world record, the journey of this chemistry student, who initially pursued rugby, is set to create history on the track.

Back in 2007, a year prior to Usain Bolt's meteoric rise in the sprints at the Beijing Olympics, Kenyan sprinter Tom Musinda broke the national record in the 100 meters. His time, 10.26 seconds, was only slightly slower than Alex Porkhomovsky's Israeli record from 1999. This event scarcely generated excitement, as Kenya was predominantly associated with long-distance runs lasting far longer than ten seconds. The focus was on endurance rather than sprinting prowess.

"I remember discussing sprinting with Kip Keino, the chairman of the Kenyan Olympic Committee and a sports legend. He didn't give it much importance," recalls Dr. Itzik Ben-Melech, who served as a special advisor to Keino between 2000 and 2008. "In Kenya, they only emphasized long-distance runs, where they had achieved success. They believed their genetics uniquely suited them for these distances."

Musinda's record held until 2017 when Mark Odiambo shaved it down to 10.14 seconds. While a commendable achievement, it didn't align with Kenya's reputation in middle and long-distance running, a domain where it had gained an empire-like standing alongside Ethiopia. The prevalent wisdom suggested that the various tribes in Kenya possessed genetic traits favoring long-distance running. This phenomenon extended to runners like Luna Salpeter, a Kalenjin tribe member who hadn't pursued organized athletics until she arrived in Israel at 22 and subsequently established herself as a prominent marathoner.

So how did Kenya, known for its dominance in long-distance running, evolve to the point where it is now competing in sprints at the world level, potentially even aiming for a place on the Olympic podium in Paris? This transformation, which defies convention, owes its credit to a figure previously unknown to the world of athletics.

Enter Ferdinand Omaniale (27), a man whose name could become synonymous with a global sensation if he secures a podium position at the end of the 100m run at the upcoming World Championships in Budapest.

In September 2021, he dazzled with a spectacular time of 9.77 seconds in a competition held in Nairobi, placing him among the ten fastest runners in history. His achievement surpassed the legendary American Maurice Greene's 9.79 seconds and outperformed numerous other sprinters of renown. Omaniale's status as the fastest anonymous runner in the world earned him the title of the fastest man on the planet, though his name remained relatively obscure even to Kenyan sports enthusiasts.

Ferdinand Omaniale's rarity is underscored by the fact that, as of 2023, he is the sole Kenyan sprinter listed within the top 400 fastest runners in the world. This stands in stark contrast to Kenya's long-standing reputation in middle and long-distance running. Notably, he is only the second Kenyan athlete to excel beyond those domains, with the first being Julius Yago, the 2015 world javelin champion and the silver medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Omaniale's journey from an aspiring chemistry student and former rugby player to a sprinting sensation is a tale of determination and transformation. He initially entered the sprinting scene by setting a modest 10.4 seconds in the 100 meters, guided by a friend who recognized his explosive power. This marked his pivot toward sprinting at the age of 19, an endeavor that eventually yielded remarkable results.

"He doesn't fit the typical Kenyan mold for long-distance runners," observes Yigal Balon, the coach of Blessing Afrifa, Israel's record holder in the 100 and 200 meters. Balon encountered Omaniale during his visits to Nairobi and noted his resemblance to Christian Coleman in terms of physique: relatively short at 1.75 meters, yet possessing exceptional explosive power. Balancing at 83 kg, he defies the typical weight range for sprinters of his height. Balon acknowledges that while he's been equally impressed by other top sprinters, there is an enigmatic quality about Omaniale that captivates attention.

Omaniale's emergence sheds light on an extraordinary aspect of Kenya's sprinting landscape. Historically, the country has prioritized long-distance running due to its cultural context, geography, and training conditions. While athletes are discovered and nurtured for middle and long-distance events, sprinting has been neglected. This is partly evident in the scarcity of tartan tracks suitable for sprinting training across the country.

So, who is Ferdinand Omaniale? Born to Dishon and Adelaide from Tongarn, Kenya, he was a chemistry student and an accomplished rugby sevens player in his youth. A friend's observation of his explosive power during a rugby match prompted his transition to sprinting. At the age of 19, he embarked on his sprinting journey, initially achieving a time of 10.4 seconds in the 100 meters. His journey led him to explore the world of sprinting and gradually fine-tune his skills.

Intriguingly, Omaniale doesn't possess the stereotypical appearance associated with long-distance runners in Kenya. Rather, his stature resembles that of a sprinter, marked by explosive strength and power. Although his journey began with a relatively modest time of 10.37 seconds in the Kenyan Open, he recognized the potential for further development in sprinting.

Omaniale's trajectory was not without obstacles. In 2017, he was entangled in a banned substance scandal, which he attributed to a preparation he took for back pain resulting from training. The explanation didn't prevent a 14-month suspension. Following his return, his results remained unremarkable, and the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further stalled his progress.

However, Omaniale's fortunes changed with the advent of 2021. He achieved the qualifying standard for the Tokyo Olympics with a time of 10.01 seconds. Although he fell short of a place in the final, he demonstrated his potential by setting a personal best of 10.00 seconds in the semi-finals, narrowly missing the finals cut. Subsequently, he achieved a breakthrough with a sensational time of 9.77 seconds in the Keino Memorial competition in Nairobi, ranking him among the fastest sprinters in history.

Fueled by this momentum, Omaniale currently tops the 100m rankings in the Diamond League, claiming victory in Monaco with a time of 9.92 seconds. As the World Championships in Hungary approach, the question arises: will his performance in Budapest reflect his current form? As a 27-year-old athlete, Omaniale's moment in the spotlight has arrived, presenting an opportunity to etch his name in the annals of sprinting history. While his ambition of reaching a 9.60-second time and potentially challenging Bolt's record of 9.58 seconds may be bold, Omaniale's trajectory suggests that his limits are far from reached.

Kenyan Ferdinand Omaniale challenges Usain Bolt's record

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