Ferdinand Omanyala of Team Kenya has qualified for the 100m semi-finals in the World Championships after clocking 10:10 seconds in heat seven.
Omanyala overcame adversity to qualify for the semifinals of the World Championships 100 metres at the Hayward Field in Oregon on Saturday.
Omanyala came third in a heat won by Japanese Abdul Hakim (9:98) and Edward Osei Nketia of New Zealand (10:08) to make the semis set for Sunday July 17 morning at 4am followed by the final at 5.50am Kenyan time.
The African champion ensured safe passage to the semi-finals with a third place finish in the last heat of the 100m won by Japan’s Sani Brown in 9.98 sec.
The exceptional sprinter put up a spirited fight despite arriving at the championships just hours before the competition.
The Kenyan star only had three hours to clear with customs and warm up for the race following challenges over his visa processing.
Omanyala’s late travel was occasioned by delays in processing his visa. The delays sparked an uproar among Kenyans who called on the US Embassy and the government to intervene in the matter.
On his part, Omanyala thanked President Uhuru Kenyatta for intervening in the matter hours before boarding a chartered flight.