NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 8 – Having clocked 6.60secs to finish fourth at his season opening race in Miramas last weekend, African 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala is looking to go into the 6:50s at his second meet in Mondeville on Wednesday night.
Omanyala holds the national indoor record in the 60m, clocking 6.57 in another race in France last year and he hopes he can lower that mark.
“My primary target is to run faster than last weekend and essentially, that is to go into the 6.50s. I believe I can do it because last weekend’s race was the first of the season and now the body is accustomed already,” Omanyala told Capital Sports from France.
He adds; “It was a brilliant start for me because I started with around 6.67 last season and this shows there is improvement. In sprints, every second is quite a lot.”
On how his training has been so far in France, the Commonwealth Champion says he feels stronger than ever.
“I feel very strong in my body honestly. I feel lighter and fitter and this week I have just been polishing on my final 50pc of the race and I feel okay,” he noted.
In Mondeville, he is the sixth fastest on the start list with USA’s Elijah Hall being the quickest with a PB of 6.52.
Also in the field is Ivorian Arthur Cisse who beat him in Miramas last weekend. He has a PB of 6.53.
“It is a very competitive field but for me always, I thrive in a competitive field. I am looking forward to a good outing,” he added.