Ferdinand Omanyala isn’t just fast—he’s redefining what speed looks like in Africa. Born in Kenya, Omanyala shot to fame when he clocked an incredible 9.77 seconds in the 100m at the Kip Keino Classic in 2021, setting a new African record. Since then, he’s been unstoppable.
From winning gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games to his recent 9.79-second dash in Nairobi in 2024, he’s consistently proving he’s built for the big stage. But raw talent alone doesn’t get you there—every detail matters, right down to what’s on his feet. Because when milliseconds count, the right shoes can make all the difference.
Discover Ferdinand Omanyala’s shoe sponsor: Adidas
Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, made headlines in January 2022 when he signed a major deal with German sportswear giant Adidas. But this partnership isn’t just about performance on the track—it’s also about making an impact off it. According to Polar.com, for athletes and coaches alike, the planet is their playfield. Whether it’s trails, courts, oceans, or pitches—these are the places where the magic happens. But with climate change threatening these very spaces, action is needed.
That’s where the Adidas Move For The Planet initiative comes in, raising awareness about the need to protect the environment we all play in. After all, without a beautiful planet, there’s no beautiful game. As part of the campaign, Polar caught up with sprinting sensation and Adidas athlete Omanyala to hear why he’s moving for the planet—and to throw in a few fun rapid-fire questions to get to know the man behind the spikes.
How much was Omanyala’s shoe deal worth?
Back in January 2022, Ferdinand Omanyala shared some exciting news with the media—he had landed a multi-million deal with Adidas. Speaking to Capital Sports, he revealed that the partnership would run for three years, with a possible extension on the table. “Adidas came in and gave me a good deal,” he said. “They’re going to support me for the next four years with kitting, travelling money, and everything possible for me to run with peace of mind.”
While the exact amount of the deal hasn’t been made public, the impact on Omanyala’s career was crystal clear. He described it as a dream come true. “When I joined the sport, I always looked forward to signing a contract—I never imagined it would be with Adidas,” he said. “They are the best.” For Omanyala, the deal meant more than just financial backing. It gave him freedom. “Now with better sponsorship, I’m confident there will be more success,” he added. “You know, training while worrying about raising money for races or whether you’ll even get to compete—it’s stressful. But now, I can finally focus on just running.”
There was a time in his life, when Ferdinand Omanyala got bankrupt, and now signing multi-million deals. With Adidas backing him through a multi-year deal, covering essentials like kitting, travel expenses, and more. Now, Omanyala has been able to shift his full attention to what truly matters: running. But are his spikes custom-made? Let’s find out.
Are Ferdinand Omanyala’s spikes custom-made by Adidas?
At the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Ferdinand Omanyala brought more than just speed to the track—he brought intention. He shared that he planned to wear three different pairs of spikes for the 100m prelims, semis, and finals. “We start with the shoe reveal. At the Olympics, I’m planning to run with three different spikes, all new. In the heats, it will be a new spike, in the semis it will be a new spike and in the final, it will be a new spike,” Omanyala said in a video that he shared on his YouTube channel.
But these weren’t just any spikes. Each pair carried a unique Bible verse, chosen to reflect their mindset and faith at each stage of the competition. “In the heats, I’ll give you a general. So we’ll reveal the verse after the heats or maybe if the camera can zoom in and see the verse. The heats will be about a verse that will be thanking God for the opportunity because not everyone who wanted to be at the athletics will be there,” Omanyala revealed before going for the Olympics.
It wasn’t just about running fast—it was about running with purpose. While he didn’t confirm whether these were custom-designed by Adidas or personalized versions of existing models. One thing was clear: every detail, down to the shoes on his feet, was part of his game plan. Now that he is the quest to break Usain Bolt’s 100m world record, he is moving forward with all his hard work.
The post Who Is Ferdinand Omanyala’s Shoe Sponsor? Everything to Know About the Track Star’s Spikes Deal appeared first on EssentiallySports.
