Mashemeji Derby in South Africa as Odhiambo races Omanyala

Kenyan sprint kings Ferdinand Omanyala and Mark Otieno Odhiambo will face off in South Africa on Wednesday as they both gear towards the World Championships in Tokyo Japan later this year.

The duo will battle at the ASA Grand Prix meeting which will held at the Pilditch Stadium in Tshwane.

It is an accredited World Athletics Continental Tour Challenger meeting.

Omanyala, who holds Africa's fastest ever time in the 100 M with a time of 9.79 seconds, will be the pre race favourite for victory but will be faced with the challenge of beating his compatriot (10.12) who is continuing his comeback from a doping ban in 2021.

The clash will aid the two and other athletes as they prepare for the World Championships in Tokyo Japan in September.

Former South African 200 M champion Luxolo Adams and veteran Emile Erasmus will make up the home challenge to the Kenyan duo.

Omanyala has so far resisted the temptation to race competitively this year on track making this his first bow of the season on solid running ground. He participated in an Athletics Kenya meet in February which was held on a gravel track.

In other events, former Olympic finalist Kyle Blignaut will lead the field in the shot put event, while Zakithi Nene and Sinesipho Dambile will face off in the 400M.

Prize money will be as follows (In South African Rand) R 5,500 for Gold, R 3,000 for Siver medalists while the bronze medal winner will walk away with R 1500 (exchange rate Ksh 7 to the Rand), according to a report on Supersport.