World Athletics Championships: Ghana’s Abdul-Rasheed Saminu Qualifies for 100m Semis
- Ghana’s Abdul-Rasheed Saminu has stormed into the semi-finals of the 100m at the 2025 World Athletics Championships
- Hailing from Kukuo, a small village in the Northern Region, he has grown into one of Africa’s standout sprint stars
- Saminu remains determined to book his place in the final despite being drawn in a tough semi-final lineup
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Abdul-Rasheed Saminu showed once again why he is regarded as one of Africa’s finest sprinters after booking a place in the semi-finals of the men’s 100m at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The 27-year-old produced a sharp performance in Heat Seven, finishing second with a time of 10.09 seconds.
Source: Getty Images
Abdul-Rasheed Saminu powers through to 100m semis
South Africa’s experienced runner Akani Simbine crossed first in 10.02s, while Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala, the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, claimed the last automatic qualification spot with 10.12s, per World Athletics.
The heat was fiercely contested, with the Netherlands’ Elvis Afrifa, who has Ghanaian roots, narrowly missing out in fourth after running 10.15s.
China’s Xinru Deng came fifth, Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme followed in sixth, while Japan’s Hakim Sani Brown, also of Ghanaian descent, could only manage 10.37s in seventh. Saif Al Rammahi finished last in eighth place.
Watch the video of the race:
Ghanaian fans were quick to celebrate Saminu’s progress. On social media, excitement poured in.
@He_is_Free08 hailed:
"That’s ma guyy. Azamati disappointed us."
@villa_carter wrote:
"He's now our star boy oooo, good run."
@TheKrobea added:
"Rasheed Saminu is fast becoming the best sprinter Ghana has👏👏👏."
@BiggJeffinho applauded:
"Ayekooo Rasheed."
@Owoahene_95 summed up:
"This guy has been performing all season. He’s the best we’ve now."
Who will Saminu face in the semi-finals?
Meanwhile, Saminu’s hopes of reaching the 100m final — and possibly clinching a medal — will be tested in a highly competitive semi-final.
Source: Getty Images
According to Track Gazette, the 27-year-old has been drawn in semi-final three, where he will line up against some of the world’s finest sprinters.
His opponents include Jamaica’s Oblique Seville and Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, both tipped as strong favourites.
He will also face South Africa’s Gift Leotlela, who advanced with a blistering 9.87s, Nigeria’s Israel Okon, America’s Courtney Lindsey, Great Britain’s Romell Glave, and former Olympic champion Andre De Grasse.
Check out the full semi-final pairing:
Azamati struggles as focus turns to the relay
While Saminu impressed, Benjamin Azamati endured a tough outing in Heat Five of the same event.
The former national record holder never found his stride and finished sixth with a time of 10.30s, a far cry from his season’s best of 9.98s.
Watch Azamati's race:
Though disappointed, Azamati will now switch focus to the men’s 4x100m relay.
Together with Saminu and the rest of Ghana’s contingent, he will be aiming to help the team reach the semi-finals and, with a strong run, possibly contest for a medal.
Saminu excels academically in the US
Earlier, YEN.com.gh highlighted Abdul-Rasheed Saminu’s academic achievements in the United States.
The Ghanaian sprinter earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Florida.
Source: YEN.com.gh
