Omanyala calls for structured preparations, says Worlds will be no walk in the park

 

 

 

Omanyala calls for structured preparations, says Worlds will be no walk in the park

Panama’s Arturo Harmodio Deliser Espinosa, Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala and Italy’s Chituru Ali compete in the men’s 100m heat of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on August 3, 2024. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP)

 

Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, has called for comprehensive support following Kenya’s historic qualification for the men’s 4x100m relay at the 2025 World Athletics Championships set for September 13–21 in Tokyo, Japan.

 

Speaking after the team secured their slot during the World Relays in Guangzhou, China, Omanyala emphasized the need for urgent investment and structured preparations, warning that the journey ahead will be challenging.

 

“It’s now down to serious business. I’m sure the country has seen our potential, and it’s time they provide us with the financial support and the resources we need—especially access to high-quality training camps. The World Championships will not be a walk in the park,” said Omanyala.

 

The Kenyan quartet – Omanyala, Boniface Mweresa, Meshack Babu, and anchor runner Steve Odhiambo, clinched second place in Heat 2, just behind Belgium, to earn automatic qualification. The team clocked 38.51 seconds, a performance that etched their names into the record books.

 

After a near-miss in the initial round on Saturday, Kenya capitalized on their second chance in Sunday’s heats to secure their place among the world’s sprinting elite.

 

“We’ve had a fantastic weekend at the World Relays. It’s an incredible feeling to be part of the team that made history—Kenya qualifying for the 4x100m at the World Championships for the first time ever. On Saturday, we set a national record but narrowly missed out, so we had to come back stronger on Sunday—and we did just that.”