From Track to Classroom: Sprinter Abdul Rasheed Saminu Graduates From University of South Florida

• Ghanaian sprinter Abdul-Rasheed Saminu has secured an academic milestone in the United States
• The 27-year-old from Nanumba village has been touted as one of the fastest rising sprinters from the West African country
• The former student of Al-Azhariya SHS was recently named Male Athlete of the Year at the 2025 Stampede of Champions

Abdul-Rasheed Saminu is not just sprinting his way to Olympic glory on the tracks; he's doing so with a degree in hand from the classroom.

The Ghanaian speedster has just graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Communication.

Abdul Rasheed Saminu bags degree in communications

The 27-year-old former Al-Azhariya SHS student in Kumasi, Tafo, has proven that chasing academic goals can go hand in hand with elite-level sprinting.

To mark the achievement, Saminu took to TikTok, sharing a proud moment in his graduation gown while flashing his hard-earned graduation rings.

Accompanied by the caption, “Alhamdulilah, Bachelor's in Science Degree booked”, the post radiated both humility and triumph.

Abdul Rasheed Saminu named 2025 Male Athlete of the Year

This academic milestone is just the latest in what’s been a standout year for the Ghanaian.

He was recently named Male Athlete of the Year at the 2025 Stampede of Champions in April, a recognition that reflects his impact on the track for the University of South Florida.

Abdul Rasheed Saminu's athletics records

Saminu has been the heartbeat of USF's track program. Over the past year, he has set new benchmarks both indoors and outdoors, per Gousfbaulls.com.

His exploits earned him the Top Individual Performance award, thanks to the qualifying times that punched his ticket to the Paris Olympics.

During the indoor season, he was named a First Team All-American in the 60m dash, a title reserved for athletes in the top echelons of college athletics in the United States.

Earlier this month, he lit up the track with a wind-assisted sprint in the 100 metres, clocking 9.87 seconds, the fastest time in the NCAA this season, per TFRRS.

With a personal best of 10.02 seconds in the 100m and 20.12 seconds in the 200m, Saminu is inching closer to that elusive sub-10-second club.

Last year, Saminu agonisingly missed out on the 2024 Olympic Games Men’s 100 Metre Finals after finishing seventh in his heat.

The Nanumba native, who was competing in the Olympics for the first time, ran a time of 10.05 seconds, which was slightly faster than the time he qualified with to the semis (10.06 seconds).

Mfantsipim's Andoh Kwofie wins 100m dash at Super Zonals

Earlier, YEN.com.gh spotlighted Joseph Andoh Kwofie of Mfantsipim School, who sprinted to glory in the 100m final at the 2025 Central Region Super Zonals.

His latest triumph marks a hat-trick of wins, having claimed the title in 2023 and 2024 as well.

Reports indicate that some old students of Kwabotwe are actively exploring opportunities to help Kwofie pursue advanced training overseas.

Source: YEN.com.gh