Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, has opened up about the humble beginnings of his athletics journey, sharing the unforgettable story of his first-ever race in Mumias, Kakamega County. Speaking during an interview with Dr Ofweneke, Omanyala revealed that he entered the event with zero experience, unsure of his ability to compete against seasoned athletes.
“My first event was in Mumias. I had no experience because I had never done track. I was the first person in the field, and I started seeing the proper athletes walking in wearing Kenyan kits karibu nirudi Nairobi,” Omanyala recalled. Despite being underestimated and even mocked by competitors, he stunned everyone by winning the race. “I remember nilitishiwa sana people were talking, ‘who is this guy huyu ni mtu wa rugby hapa tutakushinda‘, but I won the race,” he said.
How Did Omanyala Celebrate His First Victory?
The victory came with a Ksh5000 reward, Omanyala’s first-ever prize from running. He chose a simple but memorable way to celebrate. “I was doing it for fun, but after winning, I was rewarded Ksh5000, and I was so proud of myself,” he said. “Hiyo day nilipiga sherehe. Sherehe yangu ilikuwa kukula. Tulienda kwa hoteli nikaitisha chapati 15, sherehe yangu ilikuwa hiyo chapatti 15, na supu; that lady never served me; she served everyone else. They thought I was joking, lakini wakaniletea na nikapiga sherehe.”
This moment marked the start of a journey that would see him become one of Africa’s most celebrated sprinters, highlighting that success often begins with humble victories and genuine celebrations.
Before discovering his talent on the track, Omanyala played rugby. In 2015, a teammate noticed his exceptional speed and encouraged him to try athletics. “I got my purpose in 2015, because in the club I joined, there was a guy who used to run; he told me I was in the wrong career because of the running speed I had,” Omanyala explained. With his father’s support, he bought running shoes and training gear, embarking on a path that would eventually lead him to break records and become Africa’s fastest man.
By Risper Akinyi