Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala is set to launch his 2026 Diamond League campaign this Saturday, May 16, as the season officially begins in Shanghai/Keqiao, China.

Currently ranked 13th in the world, the Kenyan sprint star faces a strong field in the men’s 100m, including South Africa’s Akani Simbine and Botswana’s Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo.

The race will also feature world number three Kenneth Bednarek alongside fellow Americans Trayvon Bromell and Christian Coleman.

China’s Xie Zhenye, the Asian 200m record holder, will represent the hosts in what promises to be a highly competitive sprint showdown.

Omanyala heads into the meeting on the back of an encouraging start to his 2026 season. He opened his outdoor campaign at the Cape Milers Continental Tour in South Africa, clocking 10.19 seconds.

The Kenyan then stormed to victory at the Addis Ababa Grand Prix on April 18 in a time of 9.98 seconds, marking his first sub-10 performance in more than two years.

He followed that up with another impressive display at the Kip Keino Classic on April 24, where he thrilled home fans at Nyayo Stadium after posting a season’s best 9.96 to secure victory.

Two days later, Omanyala improved further at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix, timing 9.95 seconds to finish third.

However, the Shanghai/Keqiao meet is expected to provide his toughest test so far this season as he lines up against some of the world’s top sprinters.

The event will also mark the return of Faith Kipyegon, who is set to open her 2026 track and field season in the 5000m. 

The three-time Olympic champion and five-time world champion, renowned for her dominance in the 1500m, continues to broaden her range ahead of another major campaign.

Shanghai/Keqiao serves as the opening stop of the 2026 Diamond League season, which will span four continents and 15 cities before concluding with the two-day final in Brussels on September 4-5.