Musingu High School athlete Jibril Musa Omusilisia says Ferdinand Omanyala’s rise to the top of African sprinting gave him the belief that a young athlete from Western Kenya could also make a name for himself on the track.The Form Four student is beginning to carve out his own path at Musingu, balancing athletics with rugby sevens while steadily attracting attention for his performances in the 110 metres hurdles.##NAJAVA_MECA_9901535##Musa announced himself at the 2026 KSSSA Term One National Games in Kisumu, where he finished second in the boys’ 110m hurdles in 16.70 seconds to earn a place in Team Kenya for the FEASSSA Games in Morogoro, Tanzania.Eliud Kiprop of Sang’alo won the national title, with Musa taking silver for Western Region and Musingu. At the regional championships in Morogoro, he improved significantly, clocking 14.94 seconds to finish second behind Kiprop, who won in 10.94 seconds. The silver was particularly significant because it came in Musa’s first appearance at regional level, giving him another indication that his decision to take athletics seriously could lead somewhere.Yet behind the medals is a story that began with watching another Kenyan rewrite the sprinting script.Musa says Omanyala’s emergence changed his perception of what was possible, particularly as an athlete from Western Kenya, where he felt opportunities in athletics were often viewed as belonging to other regions.FEASSSA 2026: Kenya’s wait for girls’ football title extends to eight years as duo bow out“Omanyala inspires me a lot. When he broke the barriers, I told myself that we Luhyas can also make it in races because most of the time officials would say athletics is for the people from other regions, but we have shown that we are also capable,” Musa told Mozzart Sport in Morogoro.“I saw how Omanyala was doing and I kept dreaming. I believe I can do it.”He only started competing seriously in athletics last year, initially concentrating on the 100 metres before moving into the hurdles, where he has now established himself as one of Musingu’s emerging talents.“I started running last year and got to the regionals. I had decided that this year I must get to the East Africa finals,” he explained.“I started with the 100 metres, but at the regional level I had to switch to the 110m hurdles, and that is what has brought me to East Africa.”FEASSSA: Green Commandos star reveals how indiscipline nearly ended his football careerHis progress is even more notable because athletics is not his only sporting pursuit.At Musingu, Musa has also featured in rugby sevens, where his speed and agility have made him one of the school’s promising young players.The two disciplines complement each other, with the acceleration required in sprinting and the explosiveness demanded in rugby. His development has also received encouragement from his sister, Nusra Okiya, a hurdler based in the United States, who continues to push him to believe in his ability.“I am inspired by my sister Nusra Okiya, who is in the USA and is also a hurdler. She always encourages me that I can do it,” he said.FEASSSA: Yala youngster using football to open doors for forgotten talents back at homeWorld Athletics lists Musa, born on 17 December, 2008, with a 100m personal best of 11.30 seconds, recorded in June 2025For a youngster who only recently discovered competitive athletics, the progression has been rapid, and he now wants to test himself further in the 100m while continuing to develop as a hurdler.“Going forward, expect more from me. This is just the start. I also want to try the 100 metres,” he said.Musa’s journey has also challenged the idea that athletics success must always come from traditional strongholds, with Omanyala’s achievements giving athletes from other parts of Kenya a figure they can see themselves in.FEASSSA: Why Morogoro local blames death of renowned MP for Tanzania’s decline in school sportsThe African record holder announced himself on the continental stage in 2021 when he clocked 9.77 seconds at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi, breaking Akani Simbine’s African 100m record and becoming the fastest man in Africa over the distance.He went on to reach the Olympic 100m semi-finals in Tokyo, win Commonwealth Games gold in Birmingham in 2022 and claim African Championships gold, before reaching the World Championships final in Budapest in 2023.FEASSSA: Bukedea boss explains why Ugandan schools continue to dominate East AfricaHis performances have continued to provide inspiration for Kenya’s emerging sprinters, including Musa, whose own journey is only beginning.For now, the Musingu athlete has a silver medal around his neck, a growing reputation and a belief that there is more to come.“I have learnt that winning is not for the swift,” he said after his FEASSSA race, reflecting on the challenge posed by Uganda.“Uganda came charged up and sure they were going to win, but Kenya has shown them that we can do it.”