Ferdinand Omanyala, the reigning Commonwealth Games 100m champion, has enlisted the services of a new coach in preparation for the upcoming 2024 season.
The Kenyan track sensation has turned to the experienced strength and conditioning coach, Geoffrey Kimani, in his pursuit of new athletic heights.
Kimani officially announced his role as Omanyala’s sprints coach through the busy 2024 season, culminating with the Olympic Games later in the year. “Back on track, and greatly honoured to take up the role of Ferdinand Omanyala’s sprints coach through a busy 2024 season, culminating with the Olympic Games later in the coming year.
Onto the hard work!” commented Kimani on his social media platforms. The Commonwealth Games and Africa 100-meter champion is poised to kick off the 2024 season at the World Indoor Tour in February.
His next significant challenge will be the World Athletics Indoor Championships scheduled for March 1 to 3 in Glasgow, Scotland. Kimani’s appointment marks a transition as he takes over the reins from Omanyala’s long-time mentor and confidant, Duncan Ayiemba, whose future in this capacity remains uncertain.
Duncan Ayiemba played a pivotal role in shaping Omanyala’s career since 2015. Under Ayiemba’s guidance, Omanyala achieved a historic feat at the 2021 Kip Keino Classic by breaking the African record with a remarkable time of 9.77 seconds, securing second place behind American Trayvon Bromell, who won in 9.76.
Omanyala etched his name in history as the first Kenyan sprinter to advance to the 100m semi-finals during his debut at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. He subsequently clinched the Africa 100m and 4x100m titles before achieving further glory with the coveted gold medal at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
However, Omanyala faced disappointment with a seventh-place finish in the finals of the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, in August.
Prior to this setback, Omanyala made history by becoming the first Kenyan to secure victory in a 100m race at the Diamond League, triumphing in the Monaco leg on July 21. Intriguingly, Omanyala has maintained a low profile and intentionally stayed away from the limelight since the Hungarian competition in August.
It’s worth noting that Geoffrey Kimani previously served as the strength and conditioning coach for Team Kenya during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He has also held the position of sprints and hurdles coach for Team Kenya at the 2015 World Championships.
Kimani is not only a World Rugby strength and conditioning educator but also a lecturer in sprints and hurdles. Additionally, he currently serves as a member of the Elite Athlete Performance Commission at the National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOC-K).
