Why I am running with a different mentality this season, Omanyala explains

Reigning Commonwealth Games 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala has disclosed that people will see an entirely different version of him this season.

The 28-year-old had an excellent campaign last year, winning various medals at individual and international levels.

Speaking during an interview on NTV’s Sport-On, Omanyala stated that his actions on the track in 2024 are going to do the talking for him, instead of his usual confidence which has many a time been labelled as being too cocky.

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“I am at the perfect place right now because this season we are going in with a different mentality. I am not going to give people predictions. I am not going to tell people that I am going to do this and that. I am not going to do that anymore,” he commented. 

The National Police Service (NPS) runner, who has in the past spoken confidently of breaking Usain Bolt’s 100m record and winning the World Championships, further divulged that he will take each day as it comes rather than rush things.

“For me, I will be handling each day as it comes. Don’t ask me what my expectations are for the World Indoor Championships. I don’t have expectations. So, I am just going there to execute the races,” added a confident Omanyala.

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Moreover, the talented athlete talked about the impact that his new coach Geoffrey Kimani has had in his career.

According to Omanyala, the short period that he has worked under the watchful eyes of the 1991 national junior champion has made him become a better sprinter. 

“The first week was tough. I was just telling myself to go back to where I came from. But you must have that strong mentality. He made me feel something that I had never felt before. I have never puked in a training session. 

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I puked and I felt like the clouds were coming to pick me up. It was tough. But it is working out. I don’t have that fear of getting lactic before the finishing line. So, it has been great,” he explained.

In addition, the national 60m record holder, pointed out that he is enjoying training sessions at the moment compared to the past where the thought of it made him sick.

Omanyala is expected to represent the country in the upcoming 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships scheduled to take place between Friday, March 1 and Sunday, March 3 in Glasgow, Scotland. 

Some of the other Kenyan runners who will travel to Glasgow include Collins Kipruto, Noah Kibet, Boniface Mwaresa, Wiseman Were and Teresiah Gateri.

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