The Sprinting Couple: Ferdinand Omanyala’s Promise to Wife

22, Aug 2022 / 2 min read/ By Live Now

Kenyan sensational sprinter and Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, has promised to help his wife get back to her athletics career.

Speaking on Thursday, September 23, Omanyala stated that he has put in place plans to have his wife Laventa, who is also a sprinter, realise her athletics dream.

He disclosed that he plans to train alongside her ahead of the new sports season.

“I want us to get back to the track in October and we will train together ahead of the new season,” Omanyala said. Laventa, just like Omanyala, is an 100-metre sprinter with a personal best time of 12 seconds. She also participates in long jump.

However, she intimated to Kenyans.co.ke that she will focus more on the long jump, which she has a soft spot for. Laventa explained how the long jump has been instrumental in her sprinting career.

“I will focus more on the long jump to better myself in that field. Of course, I will also keep practising in 100 metres. Long jump will give me an edge when it comes to sprinting especially with the strides,” she stated.

Laventa added that she has also been participating in trials organised by Athletics Kenya but has only managed to qualify for the World Universities Competitions in 2016.

Omanyala’s vow to support his wife’s athletics career is in line with the promise he made to her while receiving a vehicle gifted to him on September 22. During the event, he showered Laventa  with praise for the impact she had in his rise to become Africa’s ‘numero uno‘.

He stated that at one point, she had to support the young family financially during the Coronavirus pandemic as she was the only one earning at the time. The sensational sprinter stated that his wife met rent, upkeep and training expenses.

However, while trying to be modest, Laventa, who is a social worker, stated that each of them contributed in one way or another.

“It was tough, but we all pulled together. Our family and friends were very supportive, so were the mobile banking platforms,” she laughed as she recalled.

The couple is hopeful that their son will also become a sprinter in future, that is if he chooses to follow their path.

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