•The Kenyan sprints sensation said he intends to proceed to a training camp in Germany to sharpen his talons for a masterclass act in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
•“My itinerary includes two indoor races and then the World Indoor Championships as I prepare for the Olympics,” Omanyala stated.
Image: FILE
Commonwealth 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala has said he intends to keep his cards close to his chest as he dazzles his opponents with one surprise at a time this season.
In an interview on Tuesday, Omanyala said the setbacks he suffered in the preceding season taught him invaluable lessons in humility at the height of success.
"I think I overstretched my imagination last season and unnecessarily put myself under the pump while trying to deliver on the lofty targets I had set," Omanyala remarked.
"I'll be approaching this season with some bit of caution. I'm not setting any targets. I'd rather deal with each race at a time," he added.
The African record holder said the debacle he endured at last year's World Championship in Budapest, Hungary, where he fizzled out to a disappointing seventh place, forced him to rethink his strategy.
“I endured a rough patch of emotions after a disastrous outing in Budapest and I vowed to keep my targets realistic this season."
The Kenyan sprints sensation said he intends to proceed to a training camp in Germany to sharpen his talons for a masterclass act in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“My itinerary includes two indoor races and then the World Indoor Championships as I prepare for the Olympics,” Omanyala stated.
"I'll be traveling to Paris on Sunday for the second meet then book a flight to Germany for a short camp before I return to Nairobi to prepare for the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow early next month."
Omanyala said he will also be taking up a new challenge in the 200m to stretch his endurance limits with speculations rife that he intends to double up at the Olympics.
"I plan to participate in more 200-metre races this year. I've keenly followed the race for the last two years and I'm willing to learn from what I've seen.
"I know it won't be a walk in the park given I'm about to navigate unfamiliar waters. But I'm ready to learn from the best so that I can gain the necessary knowledge that can propel me to the top. I hope to do a sub-20 in all 200-metre races."," he said.
Omanyala gauged his potential over the distance at the third leg of Athletics Kenya (AK) track and field meeting at Nyayo Stadium on January 26 where he breasted the tape in 20.42 — the fourth fastest time in the world this year.
"I felt so much inspired because I clocked a 20.4 in January. I'd planned to run under 20.5, and I'm glad I accomplished the target. It gave me confidence in my aptitude to perform well in the 200," Omanyala remarked.
His most recent feat was at the Miramas Metropole Indoor meet in France on Friday night, where he stormed the 60m dash title after clocking 6.52, fractions close to the world lead (6.48).