Africa 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala is the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) Sports Personality of the month of August 2022.
The 26-year-old beat a list of other top athletes to walk away with a Ksh 100,000 washing machine from LG as the prize.
To win the August fete, 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.
“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.” 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. “