Omanyala begins Commonwealth 100m title defence against world-class opposition
By Joel Masibo, July 28, 2026Kenya’s sprint star Ferdinand Omanyala will launch his bid to retain the Commonwealth Games men’s 100m title on Tuesday night, July 28, 2026 in Glasgow, where he faces one of the strongest sprint line-ups assembled in the competition.
The African 100m record holder has been placed in the second semifinal, which is set to start at 9:05 pm EAT. Victory would move him a step closer to becoming the first Kenyan athlete to successfully defend the Commonwealth men’s 100m championship.
Among the biggest threats is Nigeria’s rising sprint sensation Kayinsola Ajayi. The 21-year-old heads into the Games in exceptional form after recording a world-leading 9.84 seconds to win the London Diamond League, finishing ahead of Jamaican world champion Oblique Seville, who posted 9.87 seconds. Ajayi is also the reigning NCAA champion, having secured the collegiate title twice.
Omanyala’s semifinal will also feature Jeremiah Azu of Wales, England’s Elliot Jones, Ghanaian sprinter Abdul-Rasheed Saminu, South Africa’s Bradley Nkoana, Trinidad and Tobago’s Omari Lewis, and Australia’s Rohan Browning, making it a fiercely contested race.
History in Birmingham
The Kenyan made history at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham when he clocked 10.02 seconds to claim the men’s 100m gold, becoming the country’s first winner of the event in 60 years. He crossed the finish line 0.11 seconds ahead of South Africa’s Akani Simbine to secure the title.
Kenya will also have Meshack Kitsubuli Babu competing in the opening semifinal. He faces a demanding contest against Ghana’s Benjamin Azamati, Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme, Canada’s Duan Asemota, Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy, Nigeria’s Favour Ashe, South Africa’s Cheswill Johnson, and Jamaica’s Rohan Watson.
Both Azamati and Eseme will be eager to improve on their performances from the Birmingham Games, where Azamati narrowly missed a podium finish after placing fourth, while Eseme ended the final in seventh position.
Speaking on Omanyala and Team Kenya at the Games, Athletics Kenya president Jackson Tuwei expressed confidence in the team. “This is the team which we have selected and tasked with flying Kenya’s flag. We wish them the very best of luck as they go to Scotland,” said Tuwei.
With only the top performers advancing to the final, Omanyala and Babu will need outstanding performances if Kenya is to remain in contention for medals in the men’s sprint event in Glasgow.