South Africa’s 19-year-old sprint sensation Bayanda Walaza has been turning heads in recent days and African record holder Ferdinand Omanyala is among those who have taken notice.
Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala believes African sprinting is in good hands thanks to the emerging talents such as South Africa’s Bayanda Walaza.
Omanyala is among African sprinters who are currently flying the continent’s flag, among others like Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo and Akani Simbine, also from South Africa.
The three sprinters have been challenging for global titles but with Simbine 31 and Omanyala 29, their time will soon come to an end, hence the need for fresh blood.
South African sprint sensation Bayanda Walaza has etched his name into history following his historic run in Pretoria.
However, Omanyala does not feel there will be a wait for the next big thing as they are already there given what is currently being witnessed from Walaza.
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The 19-year-old, who is the World U20 100m and 200m champion, became the first man to run a sub-10 in 100m in 2025, when he clocked 9.99 seconds at the Athletics Gauteng North Provincial Championships in South Africa last Saturday.
That was soon followed up with a South African U20 200m record at the ASA Grand Prix in Johannesburg on Wednesday, when he ran 20.08 seconds, and Omanyala is thrilled by what he is seeing from the teen sensation.
![Ferdinand Omanyala overcomes slow start to claim first global victory with season’s best in South Africa [VIDEO]](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/08032025/c65be350-d5be-4be9-9196-ced0babd8c1c.jpg?operations=fit(:350))
Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala was slow off the blocks but had enough to storm to a first global win during the ASA Grand Prix II in Johannesburg on Wednesday night.
“I am excited about seeing youngsters coming up and good stuff. Big up to Bayanda for that sub-10 last week that shows that the future of African sprinting is in safe hands,” Omanyala told SuperSport TV ahead of his race at the ASA Grand Prix on Wednesday, which he won.
“I am excited, we are the pioneers, there have been people before us and we are coming in and I am happy seeing the newcomers coming up.”
Omanyala clocked 10.08 seconds, a season’s best, to win ahead of South African duo Tsebo Matsoso (10.12) and Bradley Nkoana (10.16).
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The African record holder will now not just hope to pass the baton to the likes of Walaza but will be competing with him after the youngster expressed a desire to feature at this year’s World Championships, now that he has already hit the qualifying mark in 100m after his run last week.
