Omanyala storms to 100m gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham

Ferdinand Omanyala is the new Commonwealth Games 100m champion after clinching the gold medal in a time of 10.02 seconds, Kenya’s first title in the short sprint since Seraphino Antao in 1962.

Impressive in the semi-final he looked the favourite on Wednesday and duly controlled the final from gun to tape, flying out of the blocks and surging clear and looking more like a barrelling rugby prop than a sprinter to win in 10.02 seconds.

Defending champion Akani Simbine of South Africa was a distant second in 10.13 second while Sri Lanka’s Yupun Abeykoon managed a surprise bronze medal in 10.14 seconds.

Omanyala reached the final after winning his semifinal in a time of 10.02 seconds.

 Finishing second in his semifinal was Emmanuel Eseme from Cameroon who clocked 10.14 with Nigeria’s Favour Ashe clocking 10.24 for third place.

Another Kenyan, Samuel Imeta missed out on a place in the final after finishing fifth in a time of 10.24 seconds.

Earlier on, Irene Cheptai put on a brave challenge but had to settle for silver in the women’s 10000m in a time of 30:49.52  as another Kenyan Sheila Kiprotich took bronze in 31:09.49.

Scotland's Elilish McColgan took the gold medal in 30:48.60