Meet the Ghanaian athlete who made history by shattering a 22-year-old world record

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Benjamin Azamati-Kwaku, a Ghanaian sprinter currently representing ASICS Global, etched his name in history by shattering a 22-year-old national record previously held by Leo Myles Mills. This groundbreaking achievement occurred on March 26, 2021, in Texas, where Azamati clocked an impressive 9.97 seconds, securing his qualification for the Tokyo Summer Olympics.

The momentous occasion drew recognition and praise from various quarters, with Mustafa Ussif, the Sports Minister, and Dr. Bella Bello Bitugu, the Director of the University of Ghana Sports Directorate, extending their congratulations to Azamati for his remarkable feat.

Azamati's journey into athletics traces back to his early years. Born on January 14, 1998, to John and Faustina Azamati in Akim Oda, Ghana, he initially gravitated towards football. However, his athletic prowess came to the forefront during his time at Presbyterian Boys' Senior High School in Accra, where his talent for running was discovered by his physical education mentors Nathaniel Botchway, Gideon Dukplah, and Kofi Dadzie.

As a 21-year-old, Azamati emerged as a promising Olympic hopeful for Ghana in sprinting, particularly after his remarkable performance of 10.02 seconds in the 100 meters at the 2019 Ghana's Fastest Human competition. He further solidified his status by clinching a gold medal in the 4x100m relay at the 2019 African Games in Rabat, along with winning the GUSA 100m title on two occasions.

In 2021, Azamati made headlines once again by not only improving the 100m national record to 9.97 seconds but also setting a personal best of 20.13 seconds in the 200m event.

Continuing his impressive streak, Azamati astounded the athletics world on March 25, 2022, when he surpassed his own 100m national record with a blistering time of 9.90 seconds in Texas, USA. This remarkable achievement not only placed him among the top collegiate sprinters but also positioned him within the top 50 all-time 100m sprint performances globally.

Azamati's unparalleled performance at the 2022 Texas Relays not only set a new national record but also established him as the fastest sprinter in the world for that year. This feat catapulted him into contention for Ghana's team at the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA.

With his exceptional talent and relentless determination, Benjamin Azamati-Kwaku continues to elevate Ghana's presence on the global athletics stage, solidifying his status as one of the nation's most celebrated athletes.

Explore the life of Benjamin Azamati below.

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