Kenyan sprint sensation Ferdinand Omanyala had an unceremonious end to his 2025 World Athletics Championships campaign in Tokyo after finishing fifth the semi final on Sunday, September 14.
Omanyala, who was in Heat 2 in the semis, came up against a star-studded lineup after narrowly edging in the quarters with a third place finish.
In a semifinal race which was always going to be tough for Africa's fastest man, Omanyala finished fifth with a time of 10.09, with America's Kenny Bednarek and Jamaica's Kishane Thompson securing a 9.85s photo finish.
The photo finish gave Thompson and Bednarek a ticket to the final with the top two finishers gaining automatic qualification. Zharnel Hughes of Great Britain finished third after clocking 10.03, but it wasn't enough to earn him a place.
A day earlier, Omanyala, who is still the African record holder in the 100m, finished third in the quarters with a time of 10.12. Incidentally, he slashed that time on Sunday but it was not enough to book a place in the final.
On Saturday, the sprinter hinted that ahead of the Championships in Tokyo, he had to overcome some injuries after a disappointing seventh at the Brussels Diamond League on August 22 where he clocked 10.49.
“I have been struggling with that injury for the last couple of weeks and to come here and finish third is a blessing on its own. We are between 75 and 90 percent ready for this championships and then afterward, focus on recovery,” he said on Saturday.
In the other heat, defending champion Noah Lyles clocked 9.92 to win his semi -final to qualify for the final to defend his title. He was joined by Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi.
Despite Omanyala's exit, Kenya is still well represented in the championships and as of Sunday, the country was tied for gold medals with the US with two.
Peres Jepchirchir stormed to a win earlier on Sunday in the women’s marathon, clocking 2:24:43 after a thrilling shoulder-to-shoulder battle with Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa.
Prior to Jepchirchir's win, Beatrice Chebet became the new 10,000m World Champion after a breathtaking final lap sprint to take gold in 30:37.61.
There is still a chance for more gold medals for Kenya at the championships, as 1500 gem Faith Kipyegon also secured her place in the final on Sunday.
