A step back is no setback! Omanyala celebrates sub-10 run with powerful message on resilience
By Luke Oluoch, April 19, 2026Ferdinand Omanyala has taken to social media to celebrate his latest feat of breaking the sub-10-second barrier in the men’s 100 metres, accompanying the achievement with a powerful message.
The athlete reached the milestone once more during the men’s final following a blistering run in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
He dominated a field of American and African athletes to cross the line in an impressive time of 9.98 seconds.
This performance marked the first time the African record holder has run under 10 seconds since his 9.88-second race in Poland in 2024.
Mental resilience
Following the race, Omanyala celebrated his personal resurgence, alluding to a masterclass in psychological resilience. Reflecting on a season previously ravaged by injury, the sprinter shared a thought-provoking perspective: that athletes, regardless of their field, should view poor performance or tough spells as temporary.
He specifically framed his own challenges as a “step backwards” that was simply “part of the dance” as he sought to make his comeback.
“I found my rhythm when I realized the step backwards was part of the dance. The world calls it a setback. Champions call it timing,” his poignant statement read.
He followed up his message with the powerful imagery of a slingshot, underscoring that one does not lose momentum when stepping back but rather ‘loads up’ before unleashing new power when moving forward again.
“You do not lose momentum when you step back. You load up,” he added.
The Kenyan was the star of the encounter in Ethiopia, obliterating a star-studded field ahead of Chris Borzor, who finished in second place with a time of 10.16 seconds.
This victory and his return to sub-10 territory provide Omanyala with renewed confidence ahead of the upcoming Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi, slated for Friday, April 24, 2026, at the Nyayo National Stadium.