Omanyala matches Noah Lyles time as Christian Coleman wins Prefontaine Classic

ATHLETICS Omanyala matches Noah Lyles time as Christian Coleman wins Prefontaine Classic

Abigael Wafula 23:16 - 16.09.2023

Competing on home soil, Coleman crossed the line equaling his world-leading time of 9.83 to win the men’s race.

Former World 100m champion, Christian Coleman battled hard to claim the men’s 100m at the Prefontaine Classic, the final Diamond League Meeting in Eugene, USA.

Competing on home soil, Coleman crossed the line equaling his world-leading time of 9.83 to win the men’s race. Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala and Noah Lyles finished in second place, both posting 9.85 to cross the finish line.

Jamaica’s Thompson Kishane, 22, finished behind Omanyala, clocking 9.87 to cross the finish line. He is another athlete to watch since he impressed this season with sub-10 performances and podium finishes. 

Meanwhile, coming from a disappointing outing at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Coleman was hungry to prove a point and his dream has finally been achieved as he will end the season on a high. 

He finished fifth in the men’s 100m final in Budapest and after that, headed to the Diamond League Meeting in Xiamen where he secured a win. 

On his part, compatriot Lyles has had a glamorous season and the podium finish in Eugene is a plus for him. He bagged the 100m and 200m gold medals at the World Championships and also led his team to victory in the 4x100m men’s relay. 

As for Omanyala, coming from a heartbreaking World Championships to posting equal times with Lyles is a huge improvement for him. 

The Kenyan failed to deliver at the Hungarian capital after finishing seventh in the men’s final. After the global showpiece, he competed at the Gala dei Castelli and 59. Palio Citta' della Quercia where he finished second in both races. 

He then got back to his winning ways at the Memorial Borisa Hanžekovića in Croatia. Ending the season with a podium finish at the Diamond League Meeting final is surely a good way to conclude things.

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