Ferdinand Omanyala, Kenya’s sprint sensation delivered a strong performance at the Xiamen Diamond League in China on April 26, 2025. However, Omanyala fell short of victory against his fierce rival, South Africa’s Akani Simbine.
Simbine clinched the men’s 100m title with a time of 9.99 seconds, while Omanyala finished second, clocking 10.13 seconds, in a highly competitive field that included Britain’s Jeremiah Azu and Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo.
This race marked the second high-profile encounter between Omanyala and Simbine this season. Just two weeks earlier, at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix in Gaborone, Simbine edged Omanyala with a world-leading time of 9.90 seconds, leaving Omanyala to finish second in 10.00 seconds.
Despite the loss, he remains composed and confident. After the close fight in China, he stated,
“I just go ahead and take it easy,” reflecting his calm approach amid intense competition.
Simbine’s victory in Xiamen further cements his status as one of Africa’s top sprinters. He controlled the race from the start, outpacing the field including Ferdinand and letting no doubt linger in the final stretch.
The South African’s recent form is impressive, having won a bronze medal in the 60m at the World Athletics Indoor Championships earlier this year and anchoring his country to a silver medal in the 4x100m relay at the Paris Olympics.
What Next For Omanyala?
Meanwhile,Omanyala, Africa’s fastest man and holder of the continental 100m record, is focused on bouncing back. He has set his sights on the upcoming World Athletics Championships, aiming to improve on a challenging 2024 season that included a disappointing Olympic performance.
His steady progress through the Diamond League and other meets signals he is gearing up for a strong comeback.
The rivalry between Omanyala and Simbine adds excitement to the sprint scene and promises thrilling showdowns ahead as both athletes push each other to peak performance on the global stage.