Not Sprinting, but ‘Contagious Laugh’ Is Kenyan Track and Field Sensation’s Secret to Winning Hearts

When the world hailed Noah Lyles and Christian Coleman for their path-breaking athleticism, another track and field star was planning his moves. Known to many by now, Ferdinand Omanyala has secured the name of the fastest man in 60m in African history. Starting the year on a promising note, the 28-year-old earned fourth place at the World Indoor Championships 2024. But his winning moves go beyond the track.

Probably headed to the Paris Olympics 2024, Omanyala is training rigorously with his coach Geoffrey Kimani. As a new season unfolds, we’ll see him make his way to people’s hearts again. But this time, he will not just use his sprinting finesse to do so.

The track and field icon can be called an uplifter

Track Spice invited speedster Ferdinand Omanyala for a series named ‘Road to Paris’. Taking a sneak peek into the first episode, the X post of Track Spice reads, “First episode of “Road to Paris” series showcasing the fastest human in Africa, Ferdinand Omanyala”. In the episode, Omanyala says, “Smile. Life is not that serious man. Sometimes you take life too serious and it f***ks you up. Make someone smile. Be good to someone and things will be fine. Smile is contagious. My laughs are contagious. It’s a blessing”. 

His statements asserted that with a smile, he could win the track and field world. Holding a strong distaste for portraying any egoistic and haughty attitude, Omanyala brought out his good-hearted nature. At the 2022 Commonwealth Games, he triumphed in the 100m dash, which was his first international win. The Kenyan National record holder boasts of a successful career, but lack of mindfulness cost him once.

What is Ferdinand Omanyala planning ahead of Paris?

In 2023, being part of 39 races in total drained him out so much that he lost the Budapest World Athletics Championship podium. But in 2024, he is unwilling to repeat that. “We are reducing the number of races this season ahead of the Olympic Games. I’ve been making progress, and it doesn’t matter the amount but as long as it’s progress,” said the African champion.

Training with one of the finest coaches, Geoffrey Kimani, Ferdinand Omanyala will root for a gold at the Summer Games this year. “I am not going to predict anything. For me, it’s just handling each day at a time”. This mantra brought his groundedness to the fore and how living in the moment has always benefitted him.

READ MORE: “I Puked”: Ferdinand Omanyala Reveals Unheard Struggles of Sport at World Indoor Championships