Brussels:
Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala has pulled out of the season-ending Diamond League Final in Brussels after suffering a stress fracture in his left foot, dealing a blow to Kenya’s sprint hopes at the 50th Allianz Memorial Van Damme.
The 28-year-old Kenyan, who clocked five consecutive sub-10 second performances this year, was forced to end his campaign prematurely despite finishing number three in the overall Diamond League standings and securing a spot in the inaugural Ultimate Championship.
Omanyala revealed the injury was sustained two weeks before the Commonwealth Games. "Not quite the finish we had planned, but there is so much from this season to celebrate and be grateful for," Omanyala said in a statement, thanking his coach, team, and sponsors.
Wanyonyi Leads Kenyan Field
In Omanyala's absence, Paris Olympic 800-metre champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi will spearhead the Kenyan contingent at the Diamond League Final in Brussels, aiming to secure his fourth overall trophy.
In Ferdinand Omanyala's absence, Paris Olympic 800-metre champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi will spearhead the Kenyan contingent at the Diamond League Final in Brussels. (Photo / Kip Keino Classic)
Acknowledging the expectations, Wanyonyi stated, "It's a little bit more pressure for me, but I need to handle the pressure... I'm ready, and I'm going to defend my title."
The Brussels meeting features an elite lineup including 40 gold medalists from the 2024 Paris Olympics and 2025 Tokyo World Championships. Reigning champions Mondo Duplantis, Valarie Allman, and Wanyonyi are scheduled to compete, alongside American sprinters Sha’Carri Richardson and Christian Coleman in the 100m. Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen has also been confirmed for the 1,500m showpiece.
Rising Stars
Kenya's podium hopes – with Kenyan Diamond League finalists at an all-time low this season - will be further bolstered by rising women's steeplechase star Faith Cherotich, who heads into the King Baudouin Stadium aiming to cement her breakthrough season.
Athletes can qualify for the finals through point accumulation or via global wildcards granted to top-five ranked competitors, organizers said. Host nation wildcards have also been extended, with Belgium's Olympic heptathlon bronze medalist Noor Vidts set to contest the long jump on Saturday.
“Always incredibly grateful for this opportunity to compete alongside the specialists. And even more special to do it in front of such an incredible crowd!” Vidts wrote on Instagram.
Rising steeplechase star, Commonwealth Games champion Faith Cherotich, heads into the King Baudouin Stadium aiming to cement her breakthrough season. (Photo / NOC-K)
The 50th edition of the meet was marked on Monday by the unveiling of a four-metre bronze statue of Belgian middle-distance great Ivo Van Damme at the stadium's main entrance by Meeting Director Kim Gevaert and Brussels Mayor Philippe Close.
Separately, organizers at the Decastar meeting in Talence, France, announced that three-time Olympic heptathlon champion Nafi Thiam and Canada's Damian Warner will headline their 50th anniversary event on Sept. 18-19.
Key Kenyan Schedules & Timings (Brussels Time / Kenyan Time):
Friday, September 4 (20:00 / 22:00): Women's 3000m Steeplechase Final featuring Faith Cherotich.
Saturday, September 5 (20:00 / 22:00): Men's 800m Final featuring Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Wyclife Kinyamal. (Reporting from EME News and MVD resources)
Wilfried Meert, organizer of the Memorial Van Damme meeting and Wilfried Meert, organizer of the Memorial Van Damme meeting, Florence Frelinx, alderman for sports in the city of Brussels, Kim Gevaert, director of the Allianz Van Damme Memorial and Brussels mayor Philippe Close pose in front of The statue of Ivo Van Damme (Arstist Jan Desmaret) in front of the King Baudouin Stadium during a press conference on the 50th edition of the Memorial Van Damme athletics event in Brussels, Monda.. The 2026 Allianz Memorial Van Damme Diamond League meeting takes place on Friday and Saturday this week. (Photo / Belga Photo / Eric Lalmand)
