Africa 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala won his heat to cruise to the semifinals of his specialty in the ongoing Commonwealth Games at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham.
Omanyala clocked 10:07 to win Heat 5, edging out Eseme Emmanuel from Cameroon to second place in 10.08 with the latter also qualifying.
The Kenyan national champion had a slow start but exploded in the final 60 meters to sail through.
He will be looking to qualify for the final following the disappointment of not reaching the final at the World Athletic Championships a fortnight ago in Oregon following a visa hitch.
His time was the fastest of the heats with his biggest rival Akani Simbine of South Africa clocking 10.10 to win the second heat.
Kenya's Samuel Imeta also progressed to the semifinal with a personal best of 10:12 in Heat 9. Rohan Browning from England won the heat in 10.10 secs.
In the women's 100m, national champion Maximilian Imali romped into the semis after finishing third in her heat in 11.30.
Jamaica's Olympic 100m champion Elaine Thompson Herah topped the heat in 10:99 while Briton Imani Lansiquot came home second in 11.15 secs.
Millicent Ndoro failed to qualify for the semis after finishing fifth in her heat in 11.76 with Daryl Neita of Great Britain coming out tops in 11:02.
World 800m bronze medallist Mary Moraa qualified for the final of her event. Moraa clocked 1:59.22 to win the first heat.
Uganda's former 800m champion Halifax Nakaayi was second in 1:59.35.
Africa 800m champion Jarinter Mawia crashed out finishing after finishing fourth in her heat in 2:00.95.
The top two finishers across the three heats qualified for the final and were joined by the best two third-placed finishers.
