22 August 2023

• The sprinter was dismayed with his performance highlighting he didn't understand what had happened in the track

• Nevertheless, Omanyala, still made history as the first Kenyan to reach the men’s 100m final at the world championships.

Africa's fastest man, Ferdinand Omurwa Omanyala has issued a statement after finishing 7th in the 100-meter finals that were held in Budapest Hungary.

Omanyala clocked in a 10.07 time which was just close to 24 seconds after the title winner, Noah Lyle who won the race in a world lead of 9.83. The time was 6 seconds more than what the African champion, had clocked during the semi-finals.

Speaking about the dismaying loss Ferdinand maintained that even he didn't understand what had actually happened on that track.

"Things happen in championships and that is what it is," started off the Kenyan sprinter.

He went on to add that even he himself was unsure of what had happened during the race

"I don't know what happened, I can't really tell or even remember," the father of one added clearly also still in disbelief at how he came in 7th place.

Finishing up he noted that even though the race had been disappointing and he hadn't clenched any medal all in all it was a learning lesson.

The sprinter revealed that in order to avoid such a disheartening performance he'd sit down with footage from the race to study what might have gone wrong and in doing so learn what to do differently next time.

"I have to go back and watch the video of the race and see what happened and process it. From there, I will be able to know what to do next and the solutions needed," the last of his statement read.

On his X account (formerly Twitter) Omanyala shared two pictures of himself from the race looking immensely disappointed with a message that read;

“Live to fight another day!”

Nevertheless, Omanyala, still made history as the first Kenyan to reach the men’s 100m final at the world championships.