Uhuru decorates history makers Wakiihuri, Omanyala with State honours
Africa 100 metres record holder Ferdinand Omanyala (left) and Athletics Kenya president Jack Tuwei (right) during a press conference at Riadha House, Nairobi on December 15, 2021.
What you need to know:
- Omanyala is fresh from penning a three-year deal with one of the world's leading sports apparel manufacturers, Adidas.
- Okoth, the former Africa featherweight champion, represented Kenya at the 2008 Beijing and 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and has a bronze medal from the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.
History-making Douglas Wakiihuri and Ferdinand Omanyala have been decorated with the prestigious Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) award.
Wakiihuri, the first African to win a world marathon title in 1987 and Omanyala, the Africa 100m record holder, were among the hundreds of Kenyans who were conferred with various awards by President Uhuru Kenyatta during the Jamhuri Day celebrations.
Boxer Olympian Nick “Commander” Okoth and the 2018 Continental Cup 1,500m champion Winny Chebet, who are both from the military, were among 262 civilians and military personnel, who received the Head of State’s Commendation (HSC).
Apart from winning the world marathon title, Wakiihuri is the first African to win the London Marathon in 1989 and is famously known as the First Coach, drawing the title from coaching First Lady, Margaret Kenyatta, before her marathon races.
Omanyala dashed to a new Africa record time of 9.77 seconds when finishing second behind American Trayvon Bromell in the men’s 100m during the Absa Kip Keino Classic on September 18 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
The previous Africa record of 9.84 was held by South African Akani Simbine.
On the other hand, Bromell put behind the Tokyo Olympics disappointment to win in 9.76 seconds, which was not only the fastest time run in Africa but also a world lead.
Omanyala, the fast Kenyan sprinter to reach the 100m semi-final at the Olympics during the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games, is now the eighth all-time fastest 100m sprinter while Bromell is tied in sixth place with fellow countryman Christian Coleman.
Bolt set the World Record time of 9.58 set at the 2009 Berlin World Championships.
Omanyala is fresh from penning a three-year deal with one of the world's leading sports apparel manufacturers, Adidas.
Okoth, the former Africa featherweight champion, represented Kenya at the 2008 Beijing and 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and has a bronze medal from the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.
