Contrary to expectations, Commonwealth Games 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala failed to medal as USA’s Noah Lyles took off with gold in 9.83 seconds here at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest.
Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo was second in 9.88 while Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes completed the podium also in 9.88.
Omanyala placed seventh in 10.07 and Immediately admitted that his body just failed to function. “Yesterday (Saturday) my body was responding well and I don’t know what happened.”
He also denied that the weather had affected his body.
The African champion, however, pleaded with Kenyans who had placed high expectations on his shoulders not to be disappointed as he will live to fight again.
” I don’t really know what happened but my body just packed and we live to fight another day.”
Omanyala said his dream to win the World Championships lives on until it is realized. Asked about his next race, he said he will need to sit down with his management before deciding his next course of action. “I have not decided on the next race because my focus was on this event.”
He, however, said his focus will probably turn on the Olympic Games with other races in between. He also declined to comment on the competition, saying he hardly focuses on his opponents.
