•Omanyala made the remarks as he was awarded the Sports Personality of the month for August after winning the 100m gold at the Commonwealth games.
•For his achievement, he walked away with an LG Artificially Intelligent 8kg washing machine retailing at Ksh.105,000.
Commonwealth Games 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala train in Italy ahead of next year's World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
The Africa 100m champion said he will miss the indoor track season to step up his preparation for the outdoor season.
“I will not be taking part in the indoor season. My focus for next year will be to go all out and win at the World Championships. I also hope to use my camp in Italy to improve my technique and be in the best possible shape for the global show,” he noted.
The sprint sensation said he will manage his workload next year to avoid burnout.
“In total, I have done 47 races this year if I am to include the indoor. So next season, I and my management team hope to be cautious as the priority is to ensure I am in the best shape possible for the World Championship," he added.
Omanyala made the remarks after receiving the LG Electronics/SJAK Sports Personality of the Month award for August. The award was based on his 100m victory at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
The 26-year-old became the first Kenyan to win gold in the sprint since 1962 when Seraphino Antao last bagged gold for Kenyan in games in Perth.
“It’s such a great feeling winning the award twice within a space of 12 months. My success in Birmingham will no doubt continue to inspire and encourage many Kenyans over and above paving way for many other local sprinters to come through,” said a delighted Omanyala.
“I feel a lot motivated to keep improving my personal best of 9.77 seconds given that I have two gold medals and an Africa record,” he quipped.
For his achievement, he walked away with an LG Artificially Intelligent 8kg washing machine retailing at Sh105,000. Omanyala clocked 10.02 seconds to restrict defending champion Akani Simbine from South Africa to second place in 10.13 sec.
To win the August gong, Omanyala beat a strong field of nominees among them rugby star Billy Odhiambo who racked up his 100th career try at the World Rugby Sevens in Los Angeles, 800m runner Mary Moraa, who won Kenya's fourth gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games as well as Hellen Wawira who claimed bronze in the para-power-lifting competition also in Birmingham.
Also on the list was Olympic 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon with the second fastest time in history, a World Lead and a Kenyan record of 3:50.37 on the fast Louis II track at the Herculis EBS in Monaco, where the 11th leg of the Wanda Diamond League took place.
Other nominees included netball player Beatrice Bucho, Jackline Chepkoech for winning the 3000m steeplechase gold at the Commonwealth Games, Faisal Aden of the Equity basketball team and Faith Cherotich, who won 3000m steeplechase gold at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Colombia.
Omanyala has won the award twice after his initial feat in September 2021 and hopes to break Angela Okutoyi’s record of three in the LG East Africa-sponsored award.
Maureen Kemunto, corporate marketing and communication manager at LG East Africa on her part said: “LG has been actively supporting the identification and recognition of sporting talent in Kenya through a partnership with SJAK."