After setting a new national record of 10.00 in the men's 100m semi final, Ferdinand Omanyala now hopes for more international competitions to perfect his art and craft on the track.
The sprinter finished third behind Canadian Andre de Grasse (9.91) and American Fred Kerley (9.97) but was, unfortunately, undone by the third semi, which turned up the fastest times of the three.
"I ranked no.9 overall in the semi-final so I missed out on the final by one spot. All in all, I have achieved what I came to do here in Tokyo. I just want to continue with the way I have been training but now I want to compete regularly in the Diamond League races and the World Challenge. That's my next goal," Omanyala said.
His exploits on Sunday evening came 24 hours after he had equalled his previous record of 10.01 in Heat 5 of the 100m during which he came third.
Taking stock of his exploits, the University of Nairobi student said he leaves Japan a proud and fulfilled man.
"It's been by far the best championships. Two national records in two days at the Olympic Games. Beating my idol (Jamaican Yohan Blake) and running the eighth fastest time. Thanks to all those who believed in me. We give God the glory," he said.
He was the country's sole representative in the men's 100m after the withdrawal of Mark Otieno following a failed drugs test.
Omanyala thanked Kenyans for their support and said he was hugely motivated by the positive comments on social media.
"Thanks for the support and thank you for the encouraging messages. I have been reading the comments of how people believe in me and I am hugely motivated. I came here to make you guys proud and that was the mission. It feels like an honour to be here and I have achieved," he said.
He further encouraged aspiring sprinters to trust in themselves and work hard to reach the highest level.
The sprinter watched from the sidelines as Italian Lamont Marcell Jacobs clinched gold in the final after clocking 9.80.
Kerley and de Grasse timed 9.84 and 9.89 to claim silver and bronze respectively.
