Kenya’s Omanyala Clocks Sub 10 To Win Men’s 100M In Xiamen Diamond League
Kenyan sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala once again dominated the global stage.
Omanyala won the men’s 100m at the 2026 Xiamen Diamond League in China in 9.94 seconds, setting a season-best time.
Omanyala, who finished second in last weekend’s Shanghai/Keqiao event, launched a tremendous late drive to edge past South Africa’s Gift Leotlela for second place in 10.00 seconds.
Leotlela had won their previous meeting in 9.97 seconds, sparking a fierce but brief rivalry between the two sprinters.
The Men’s 100m African record holder is on fire 😤🇰🇪
Ferdinand Omanyala beats out a stacked field at the #XiamenDL 👟💨#SSAthletics pic.twitter.com/eSPE8cOwVj— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) May 23, 2026
Trayvon Bromell, a two-time world medalist from Team USA, finished third in 10.03 seconds in a very competitive sprint event.
Reigning Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo endured a difficult outing, finishing eighth, while four-time global medallist Kenny Bednarek placed fourth after finishing second in the previous Diamond League leg.
Ferdinand Omanyala 🇰🇪 runs 9.94s (0.2) to win the men’s 100m in Xiamen!
2. Gift Leotlela 🇿🇦 10.00
3. Trayvon Bromell 🇺🇸 10.03
4. Kenny Bednarek 🇺🇸 10.03
5. Akani Simbine 🇿🇦 10.04
6. Lachlan Kennedy 🇦🇺 10.06
7. Christian Coleman 🇺🇸 10.08 pic.twitter.com/EK86fKusq2— Track & Field Gazette (@TrackGazette) May 23, 2026
Reacting to Omanyala’s performance, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi praised the sprinter for once again delivering on the international stage.
“What a sprint by Ferdinand Omanyala in China! A brilliant 9.94s performance to win the men’s 100m at the Xiamen Diamond League, once again flying the Kenyan flag high on the global stage. Congratulations, Omanyala!” Mudavadi said.
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Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also congratulated the athlete, describing the win as a moment of national pride and inspiration to young sportsmen and women.
“Congratulations, Ferdinand Omanyala, for claiming the men’s 100m title in a Season’s Best (SB) of 9.94s at the Xiamen Diamond League!” Gachagua said.
“Great win in China! You continue to raise Kenya’s flag high globally while inspiring many of our young athletes! We are proud of you!”
Omanyala’s latest victory further cements his growing reputation as one of Africa’s fastest men and a consistent podium contender on the Diamond League circuit.
The performance also marks a strong early-season statement as he continues building form ahead of upcoming global championships, where he will once again be expected to challenge the world’s elite sprinters.
Kenya’s Omanyala Clocks Sub 10 To Win Men’s 100M In Xiamen Diamond League
