Ferdinand Omanyala set a new African record as he won the men's 150m race at the Atlanta City Games on Saturday, May 17.

The race had been dubbed as a contest between the fastest man in Africa and the reigning Olympic and world champion, Noah Lyles.

Lyles, however, withdrew from the event after sustaining a "tight ankle" injury. The American was involved in other promotional activities at Piedmont Park but did not take to the track.

"Unfortunately, I just have a really tight ankle. It kind of surprised us a couple of weeks ago. We came up to Atlanta thinking that anything could happen; it could loosen up. (But] it wasn't getting better and I need to play it safe. It's just a little inflammation," he said.

Omanyala's task became much easier after the other formidable opponent he was left with, Alexander Ogando, was disqualified after a false start.

Omanyala had a perfect start off the blocks, but Terrence Jones reeled him in inside the first 50m. The Commonwealth champion then showed his experience, leaving Jones in his wake to coast to an easy 14.70-second win.

Jones finished second with a time of 14.93 seconds while Matthew Boling came in third, clocking 15.15 seconds.

The 14.70 time is another African record after he smashed his own time of 14.89 that he ran at the same event in 2023. The world record in the unconventional event is held by Usain Bolt, who ran a staggering 14.35 seconds in Manchester in 2009.

Tyson Gay and Lyles are joint second in the all-time list with 14.41 seconds. Omanyala is the only African among the top 25 fastest athletes in the 150m race of all time.

In the women's race, Nigeria's Favour Ofili brought her A-game, smashing the world record in style. Ofili became the first woman ever to dip below 16 seconds after she ran an amazing 15.85 seconds.

She absolutely shattered the previous record of 16.23 seconds held by Bahamian Shaunae Miller-Uibo in 2018. Tamari Davis was second with 16.14 seconds.

In other races, Akani Simbine continued with his dominant start to the 2025 season as he won the 100m race. Simbine crossed the line with a time of 9.86 seconds. The time will, however, not be recognised as the fastest this year as it went past the allowed wind reading (2.3m/s).

"It's no pressure. I get to come enjoy something that is no stress; just run and have fun. I wasn't expecting that time at all. Crazy. I'm looking forward to going home, training and getting ready for September," said the world indoor bronze medallist.

In the women's 100m, Cambrea Sturgis stunned McKenzie Long after both clocked 10.98 seconds. The former was, however, just ahead by six thousandths of a second.

In a separate report, Faith Cherotich won the women's 3000m steeplechase at the Doha Diamond League.

Cherotich beautifully took down Olympic champion Winfred Yavi on the homestretch in what was her first race since September.

Sembo Almayew of Ethiopia was third.

Source: TUKO.co.ke