Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs is eager to compete against Kenya's sprint sensation Ferdinand Omanyala at the Kip Keino Classic on Saturday, May 7, 2022, at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani.
Although Jacobs has only competed against Omanyala once, at the World Indoor Tour meet in Lievin, France, he is looking forward to racing against him in his backyard.
“He is a really good runner and I hope to compete with him well. We competed against each other during the Indoor Tour and I won, but I know he prefers the 100m,” Jacobs said.
Jacobs, who surprised everyone by clinching the Olympic gold in Tokyo, will be competing in Africa for the first time. He is already looking to run his fastest time ever after arriving in Nairobi on Wednesday night.
Apart from the duel with Omanyala, Jacobs is expected to face off with American Fred Kerley, the man he edged out for the Olympic gold. “Of course it will be another rematch, but we will have several this season. After this, we also have two more races together and I know it is going to be tough,” Jacobs said.
Meanwhile, Jacobs has disclosed that he only switched to the 100m three years ago, having been a long jumper. He picked up an injury to his knee in 2019 at the European Championships and had to shift to sprints.
“I am really excited to be here because it is my first time in Africa and I am really excited to compete on the track because I heard it is really good and fast. I am also excited with the athletes competing,” Jacobs added.
This season, Jacobs wants to win it all, having already started off by winning the World Indoor title. “After the Olympics and Indoor titles, I also want to win the Outdoor Championships. This season I want to win it all. I am feeling ready and feeling amazing,” he said.
