Ferdinand Omanyala applauds son’s success amid recent taunts from American rival Fred Kerley

Commonwealth Games 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala has shared a heartfelt message celebrating his son’s academic milestone, choosing family joy over rivalry, as he reflects on life beyond the track.

Africa's fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala took to social media to express his pride in his five-year-old son, Quinton Omanyala who recently graduated from his class in a school in Kasarani.

In a heartwarming post, Omanyala shared his excitement over his son's achievement, reflecting on the joy he finds in watching Quinton grow and reach new milestones.

The Commonwealth Games 100m champion was focused on his family and son's accomplishment, avoiding any response to recent remarks made by American sprinter Fred Kerley.

Omanyala's Instagram post reflected a softer side of the sprinter usually known for his intense dedication on the track.

"Seeing you grow has been my joy. Every milestone, every achievement, fills me with such immense pride. Congratulations on your first education graduation! I know this is just the beginning of an incredible journey for you," he wrote.

"Remember to dream big and always strive for excellence in all you do. So excited for the future you're creating!".

The celebration of his son’s milestone comes amidst a period of heightened scrutiny for Omanyala.

Recently, American sprinter Fred Kerley had directed remarks toward him, stirring buzz within the athletics community.

However, Omanyala refrained from responding, choosing instead to focus on family and reflect on his experiences in the sport.

His wife, Laventa Amutavi, also shared the joyous news on social media, expressing her pride and excitement for Quinton’s achievements.

“Every milestone is a blessing from above. May you continue to thrive,” she wrote, capturing the family’s pride in their son’s accomplishments.

Omanyala’s journey to fame began with a defining moment in September 2021 when he set a new African record, clocking 9.77 seconds in the 100 meters and leaving behind U.S. sprinter Justin Gatlin.

This achievement established him as the fastest man in Africa and placed him among the world’s elite sprinters.

However, while Omanyala has continued to dominate on African soil, he has faced challenges on the global stage.

During the Paris Olympics trials on July 15, 2024, he ran an impressive 9.79 seconds, generating massive hype.

Yet, his Olympic journey was cut short after an unexpected 10.8-second finish in the semifinals,leaving him out of the 100-meter finals.

Reflecting on the disappointment, Omanyala has acknowledged the need to balance his victories with hard work and humility.

In an interview after the Olympics, he shared, “The experience of the last two years has brought me back down to earth, reminding me that there is always more work to be done.”

His recent setbacks at both the Paris Olympics and the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, where he finished seventh, have driven him to recalibrate his focus.

At the World Championships, despite his reputation as a favorite, he was outpaced by American Noah Lyles who ultimately took home the gold.

For Omanyala, the recent challenges have only strengthened his determination to continue evolving.

He remains optimistic about the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo an event he sees as a chance to reaffirm his position among the world’s sprinting elite.