NAIROBI, Kenya, May 12, 2025 – Commonwealth Games champion Ferdinand Omanyala says there is need to build on a successful outing at the World Relays with more investments in sprints.
Omanyala says this will enable as many talents as possible to emerge and establish Kenya as one of the best in the game.
“We have had a very good weekend at the World Relays. We are part of history now. It’s going to be written in the history books that this is the first Kenyan 4x100m team to qualify for a World Championship,” the two-time Olympian said.
Omanyala was part of the men’s 4x100m quartet at the past weekend’s World Relays in Guangzhou, China, which sealed their ticket to Tokyo with a second-place finish in Heat 2 of Round Two of the qualifiers, timing 38.51.
The other members of the quartet included Boniface Mweresa, Meshack Babu and Steve Odhiambo.
Amid the celebrations, Omanyala is keen for them to make the podium in Tokyo, noting that this will only be a reality through proper preparations.
“Now it’s getting down to business (in training). I am sure the whole country has seen (what we can do) and they (government and AK) need to support our preparations (for Tokyo). We need a proper training camp since the World Championships will not be a walk in the park,” the 2022 African champion said.
It was a fruitful harvest in China for Team Kenya as the 4x400m mixed relay team of David Sanayek, Mercy Chebet, Brian Tinega and Mercy Aoko, also secured tickets to Tokyo in stunning fashion — clocking a season’s best time of 3:13.10 to grab a bronze medal.
In the final of the 4x400m final, Kenya ranked fifth with a national record of 2:59.29 to cement their status among the elites, having sealed their slot to Tokyo in Saturday’s qualification round.
Head coach of the team, Stanley Towet was a proud man after the five-star performance by Kenya — a country not renowned for their prowess in the sprints as they are in the long and middle-distance races.
“These athletes have worked hard and I am grateful that three of our four teams have qualified for the World Championships in Tokyo. In addition, we’ve broken national records in all the events. This means our preparations in Nairobi were thorough,” Towet said.
He added that he had always been convicted of the team’s capability following their training in Nairobi.
“I could tell from the last weekend meeting at Ulinzi Sports Complex that this team will deliver, especially after posting some world leading times. The athletes were diligent, embracing the training programme we drafted and the results are there for all to see. I would like to see this team maintained for the World Championships in Tokyo since they have done a tremendous job,” the coach said.
Towet added: “This is a great achievement for me and the rest of the officials (coaches Simon Riga and Thomas Musembi, chaperone Catherine Kagwiria, Tanui and physiotherapist Edwin Kiptoo). Every one of them played their roles with dedication.”
Speaking at the same time, sprinter Mercy Oketch says she cannot wait to get cracking at the World Championships, in what will be her second competition in a Team Kenya singlet.
“This is just the beginning, more things are coming. The race was very interesting. I have never run such a race in my life. I thank God. Running against the USA, some of the fastest athletes in the world, is interesting,” she said.
Kenya wrapped up the championships joint ninth alongside Botswana with one medal each, bronze.
South Africa topped the standings with two gold and a bronze medal, followed by USA (1,2,0) and Spain (1,1,0). Others were Canada (1,0,1), Great Britain and Northern Ireland (1,0,1), Jamaica (0,1,1), Australia (0,1,0) and Belgium (0,1,0).
Team Kenya will embark on their return journey Monday evening to touch down at the JKIA Tuesday morning.
