Omanyala once again fails to hit sub-10 second mark in Rome

Once again, his final position was notable; his time, maybe not so much.

For Ferdinand Omanyala, the main mission in Rome Friday night was to collect a sub-ten-second mark as he prepares to take on the world's best at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September.

He just about failed in his mission.

USA’s Trayvon Bromell achieved a world lead to win the 100m, running his fastest time since 2022.

The 2016 world indoor 60m champion and two-time world 100m bronze medallist clocked 9.84 (1.1m/s) for a comfortable victory ahead of Emmanuel Eseme (9.99).

Omanyala managed 10.01 to finish third.

It was the second consecutive third-place finish for Kenya's track king after Omanyala also took the third and final podium place last Saturday at the annual KipKeino Classic, behind Australian Kennedy Lachlan won the race in a time of 9.98 seconds, and South Africa's Bayanda Wazala with 10.03, as Omanyala came third in 10.07.

To have any opportunity of hitting the podium places in Tokyo, a time of less than 10 seconds will definitely be required and Omanyala is certainly aware of that.

"I'm happy with my improved time from last week. The season is still going on so I'm working towards the World Championships and looking forward to the challenge of improving my time," he said in the aftermath of the race.

Established names such as Fred Kerley finished fifth with 10.06 seconds, behind Omanyala as the race towards Tokyo continues to gather pace.

Attention in the Diamond League now shifts to Oslo, Norway 12 June 2025.

Men’s 100m final times

Trayvon Bromell (United States) – 9.84 WL

Emmanuel Eseme (Cameroon) – 9.99 SB

Ferdinand Omanyala (Kenya) – 10.01

Brandon Hicklin (United States) – 10.04

Fred Kerley (United States) – 10.06

Courtney Lindsey (United States) – 10.18

Filippo Tortu (Italy) – 10.19

Abdul Hakim Sani Brown (Japan) – 10.31 SB

Chituru Ali (Italy) – 11.21