Omanyala finishes Third in South Africa, Otieno Fourth
Ferdinand Omanyala, Africa's fastest man in the 100 metres managed a third-place finish Wednesday night during the Athletics South Africa ASA Grand Prix held at Pilditch Stadium in Tshwane South Africa.
Ferdinand Omanyala, Africa's fastest man in the 100 metres managed a third-place finish Wednesday night during the Athletics South Africa ASA Grand Prix held at Pilditch Stadium in Tshwane South Africa.
Omanyala, whose time of 9.77 seconds set in 2021 in Nairobi, was the pre-race favourite for victory, but was forced to settle for third on the podium following spirited performances from South African athletes.
Karabo Letebele crossed the tape at the head of the queue to clock victory with a time of 10.19 seconds, beating his compatriot Emile Erasmus by a hairline to collect the R5,500 first prize.
Erasmus clocked the same 10.19 while Omanyala came in with a time of 10.22 seconds.
Kenya's Mark Otieno Odhiambo finished fourth with a time of 10.39 seconds.
Kenyan sprinters Mark Otieno (L) and Ferdinand Omanyala during a past race event. PHOTO/Pulse Sports KenyaKenyan sprinters Mark Otieno (L) and Ferdinand Omanyala during a past race event. PHOTO/Pulse Sports Kenya
The World Athletics Championships will be held in Tokyo Japan from 13 September and the goal for the sprinters will be to make the required 10.00 seconds qualification time to make it to the flight to Tokyo.
Otieno will be hoping to make it back to the big stage after qualifying and failing to compete at the Paris Olympics in 2021 after being flagged for a doping offence.
The second ASA Grand Prix will be held in Johannesburg on March 19, 2025, as the season takes shape.