Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala has failed to live up to expectations after fizzling out to finish seventh in the men’s 100m final race.
Omanyala, who had fought hard to secure a slot in the final, seemed to have a slow start from the blocks which in turn was detrimental to his chances. He clocked 10.07 to cross the final.
The race was won by World 200m champion Noah Lyles who clocked 9.83 to cross the finish line. Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo made history by becoming the first African to medal at the event, after finishing second in a National record time of 9.88.
Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes completed the podium after clocking 9.88 to cross the finish line.
Meanwhile, Commonwealth Games 10,000m silver medallist Daniel Simiu has displayed a scintillating run to finish second in the 10,000m at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Simiu clocked 27:52.60 to finish behind Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei who clocked 27:51.42 to successfully defend his title. Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega completed the podium after clocking 27:52.72.
The highly contested race started off on a high with the Ugandan duo of Cheptegei and Joel Ayeko leading the pack while crossing the 800m mark. Simiu had maintained his third place in the race.
Passing the 2000m mark was still the Ugandan duo with Kenya’s Bernard Kibet in third place. Nicholas Kimeli was still lagging behind trying to catch up. Passing through the 4000m mark was Ayeko leading the pack with Kibet now chasing him closely.
At the 8000m mark, Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi had now taken the mantle with Simiu in second place. Kimeli had now climbed the ladder and was running in third place. With the finish line in sight, the sleeping lion, Cheptegei arose from the middle and sprinted to clinch the title.
Simiu, in a spirited fight, settled for second place as Barega finished third.
