Omanyala named LG Sports Personality for August 2022

 By SJAK

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 22 – Kenyan sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala is the LG SJAK Sports
Personality of the month of August 2022.
 
Omanyala, who walked away with an LG Artificially Intelligent 8kg washing machine
retailing at Ksh.105,000, achieved the feat after winning gold in 100m during the
Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
The 26-year-old star athlete became the first ever Kenyan in 60 years to win the
Commonwealth Games 100m title after blistering through the final on August 3.
 
He emulated Seraphino Antao who was the first and only Kenyan to win the 100m sprint
at the Club games in 1962 back then when the race was 100 yards.
 
Omanyala clocked 10.02 seconds to restrict defending champion Akani Simbine from
South Africa to second place in 10.13 sec.
 
To win the August gong, Omanyala beat a strong field of nominees among them rugby
star Billy Odhiambo who racked up his 100th career try at the World Rugby Sevens in
Los Angeles, 800m runner Mary Moraa who won Kenya’s fourth gold medal at the 2022
Commonwealth, as well as Hellen Wawira who claimed bronze in the para-power lifting
competition also in Birmingham.
 
1500m runner Faith Kipyegon was also in the list of nominees with the second fastest
time in history, a World Lead and a Kenyan record with 3:50.37 on the fast Louis II track
at the Herculis EBS in Monaco where the 11th leg of the Wanda Diamond League took
place. 
 
Other nominees included netball player Beatrice Bucho, Jackline Chepkoech for
winning the 3000 Metres Steeplechase Gold at the Commonwealth Games, Faisal Aden
of Equity basketball team and Faith Cherotich for winning the 3000m Steeplechase gold
at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Pascual Guerrero Stadium.
 
Omanyala has won the award twice after his initial feat in September 2021 and hopes to
break Angela Okutoyi’s record of three in the LG East Africa-sponsored award.
 
“It’s such a great feeling winning the award twice within a space of 12 months. My
success in Birmingham will no doubt continue to inspire and encourage many Kenyans
over and above paving the way for many other local sprinters to come through,” he said,
adding: “I feel a lot motivated to keep improving my personal best of 9.77 seconds given
that I have two gold medals and an Africa record.”
 
Maureen Kemunto, Corporate Marketing and communication manager LG East Africa
on her part said: “LG has been actively supporting the identification and recognition of
sporting talent in Kenya through a partnership with SJAK. The purpose of this award is

to recognize exceptional Kenyan sportsmen and women for their achievements across
diverse disciplines each month and also to signify our commitment to contribute to the
development of sport in the country.
 
SJAK President Chris Mbaisi, on his part, thanked LG for their continued support over
the past eight years.
 
“With the monthly award, we are seeing a growing number of upcoming and talented
sports personalities among them Angela Okutoyi who won the Wimbledon Open Junior
category and won this award for a record three times. Rewarding sportsmen and
women is an important step towards whipping up the enthusiasts of sports personalities
across all disciplines.”