Why Jamaica's wunderkinds might shock Noah Lyles and Ferdinand Omanyala at Prefontaine Classic

ATHLETICS Why Jamaica's wunderkinds might shock Noah Lyles and Ferdinand Omanyala at Prefontaine Classic

Abigael Wafula 12:28 - 15.09.2023

Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala will also be hoping to end his season on a high when he takes on formidable opponents.

As the final leg of the Diamond League heads to Eugene, USA, the men’s 100m will be one of the thrilling events with triple World champion Noah Lyles in action alongside other great athletes.

Lyles will be facing some of his familiar foes including the Jamaican youngsters, Ackeem Blake and Kishane Thompson.

The youngsters will be hoping to give Lyles a run for his money but have their work cut out if they are to stage a major upset in the 100m sprint. 

Thompson has only competed in four races so far this year and has posted impressive times. His Personal Best time currently stands at 9.85, a time he ran to finish second at the Diamond League Meeting in Xiamen.

His poor performance this season was at the Diamond League Meeting in Monaco where he finished fifth in 10.05. He goes to the final with one goal in mind, to win the race.

His compatriot, Blake has a Personal Best time of 9.89, a time he ran this year to win the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix. He has competed in more than five races so far this season and recorded decent times.

The 21-year-old will just be returning to a familiar environment since most of the races he competed in were in the USA.

Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo will also not be left behind since he has had a great year so far and will be hoping to end it on a high. Tebogo finished second behind Lyles at the World Championships and he will be looking to complete the puzzle by beating the American.

Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala will also be hoping to end his season on a high when he takes on the tough opponents.

Fast-rising Christian Coleman will also be in the mix hoping to beat his compatriot. In his last Diamond League run in Xiamen, China, Coleman got another blinding start but just did enough to hold off the fast-finishing Thompson, who clocked a personal best of 9.85.