Ferdinand Omanyala v Usain Bolt: Who is faster? 3D simulation decides

Photo || Motion Athlete

Ferdinand Omanyala v Usain Bolt: Who is faster? 3D simulation decides

Mark Kinyanjui 16:45 - 08.04.2025

A simulation has pitted Usain Bolt running against all of the seven continents' fastest men, including Ferdinand Omanyala.

Could Ferdinand Omanyala actually run faster than Usain Bolt? That is the question that has generated debate among many observers, with the former rugby-star redefining how the sport is viewed in the country.

For a long time, Kenya had created a reputation for being a country that produced a lot of top level middle and long distance athletes, rather than sprints.

However, Omanyala’s breakthrough in 2021, where he ran a blistering 9.77 seconds during the Absa KipKeino classic and flooring a star-studded field that included Justin Gatlin, put him on the mark as one of the world’s fastest men of all time.

While he has yet to show he is capable of winning medals at major championships, he has proven he is a fast athlete. Whether he is faster than Usain Bolt is a whole different story.

With eight Olympic gold medals and multiple world records to his name, Bolt's legacy as the fastest man on the planet remains unshakable, even in retirement.

His record-breaking 100-meter sprint at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, where he clocked an astonishing 9.58 seconds, set an average speed of 23.35 mph. 

Additionally, Bolt’s world record in the 200 meters, with a time of 19.19 seconds, further solidified his dominance. 

Now, a 3D simulation pitted all of the 7 continent’s fastest men of all time in a race with each other, with Bolt and Omayala representing Africa and North America respectively.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News from Pulse Sports

South America was represented by  Felipe Bardi of Brasil, whose personal record stands at  9.96s. For Australia,  Patrick Johnson was given the nod at  9.93s. In Asia, China’s Su Bingtian, who is one of the fastest starters in history was the pick, with a personal best of 9.83s.

Meanwhile, Tokyo Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs of Italy is the fastest man from Europe with a time of 9.80 seconds.

In the first simulation which pitted all seven athletes running together in their personal best times, Usain Bolt was unsurprisingly the fastest, winning by 2.2  meters, with Omanyala and Jacobs finishing second and third respectively thanks to a close photo finish.

Su Bingtian finished fourth, while Johnson and Bardi finished fifth and sixth respectively. However, altitude and wind factor had not been considered, so the simulation pitted them in a second race with 0 wind speed and 0 altitude.

In the fair race, Usain Bolt won in a time of 9.63 seconds. Marcell Jacobs came second in 9.81 seconds. Omanyala finished third in 9.86 seconds. Su Bingtian finished fourth on 9.89 seconds, while Johnson finished fifth on 10.02 seconds.

Berdi was dead last with a time of 10.03 seconds.

Could Africa's fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala actually run faster than Usain Bolt? 3D simulation makes telling revelation

What does it all mean?

While Omanyala has already made history by breaking long-standing sprinting barriers for Kenya, the simulation confirms what many already suspected—Bolt remains in a league of his own.

 That said, the fact that Omanyala finished second and third in both simulations is a testament to just how far he has come and how close he is to sprinting greatness.

So, can Omanyala one day surpass Bolt’s records? The data suggests not just yet. But if anyone can rewrite the script for African sprinting, it’s him.

Tags: