Renowned sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala has expressed optimism as he heads into the World Athletics Championships set for the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary from Saturday.
The 27-year-old Commonwealth Games and Africa 100 meters champion has been pitching his training camp in France, will lead Team Kenya in the 100m race in Budapest seeking to become the first African to triumph in the shortest race.
Omanyala believes his decision to pitch camp in Miramas Southern France has helped to shape his body.
“I am going to Budapest in good shape, having had the best preparations ever,” Omanyala said, adding: “I really needed to acclimatise and for sure I feel much lighter and the body is moving a lot more with ease than when I landed here in Europe.”
In a recent interview, Omanyala, who is heading to the World Championship buoyed by his recent performances at the national trials in Nairobi where he ran 9.96 seconds to retain his title, said nothing will pull him back as he chases history in Budapest.
“My fans have every reason to expect a good show in Budapest. My form in the last three Diamond League meetings speaks volumes about my potential,” Omanyala said.
He continued: “We shall be heading to Budapest to write a new chapter in history and to make Kenya and Africa believe that everything is possible.”
Meanwhile, the first batch of Team Kenya athletes left for Budapest on Monday with others expected to join them later.