World Athletics Championships: Heartbreak for Ghana’s Abdul-Rasheed Saminu as He Misses 100m Final
- Ghana’s sprint sensation Abdul-Rasheed Saminu suffered heartbreak after falling short of a place in the men’s 100m final
- The 27-year-old, who was bidding to become the first Ghanaian in 20 years to reach the final, narrowly missed out on qualification
- His focus now shifts to the men’s 4x100m relay, where he hopes to inspire Team Ghana to glory at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo
Abdul-Rasheed Saminu’s dream of reaching the men’s 100m final at the 2025 World Athletics Championship ended in heartbreak, leaving Ghanaian supporters in despair after his gallant effort on the track.
The Kukuo-born sprinter has enjoyed a remarkable year, smashing Ghana’s 100m record twice and establishing himself among Africa’s finest.
Source: Getty Images
Abdul-Rasheed Saminu misses out on 100m final
But under the bright lights in Tokyo on Sunday, September 14, his fairytale run fell short at the semi-final stage.
Drawn in Heat Three, Saminu, who reached the semifinals with a time of 10.09 seconds, produced a strong race but crossed the line in fourth with a time of 10.08 seconds.
The result was not enough to secure automatic qualification or one of the fastest loser spots for the final.
The heat was stacked with world-class talent. Jamaica’s Oblique Seville stormed to victory in 9.86 seconds, while Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo secured second with 9.97, according to Track Gazette.
South Africa’s Gift Leotlela ran under 10 seconds again, clocking 9.99 to grab the last ticket into the final.
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Saminu shifts focus to relay ambitions
Despite missing out, Saminu still had reason to hold his head high.
He edged former Olympic champion Andre De Grasse, who placed fifth in 10.09 seconds, alongside Great Britain’s Romell Glave, Nigeria’s Israel Okon, and American Courtney Lindsey.
The setback meant Saminu missed out on becoming only the second Ghanaian to feature in the final of the 100m event at the World Athletics Championship since Abdul Aziz Zakari.
Zakari featured at the 2001 and 2005 World Championships finals but never made a podium finish.
Speaking before the semi-final, Saminu showed his determination to take on the world’s best.
“I just have to make up my mind and go out there and do my best and do what my coach told me to do. I am going inside, kill it, and make sure I make it to the final, Insha Allah. That’s the main goal,” he told Joy Sports.
Source: Getty Images
With his individual campaign over, his focus now shifts to the men’s 4x100m relay, where Ghana’s team will begin their journey on Saturday, September 20.
The relay offers him another chance to shine and perhaps return home with a medal.
Responding to Saminu’s failure to secure a place in the 100m final, Stephen Zando of Luv FM told YEN.com.gh:
“Though I feel personally disappointed, I see this as a huge step forward in Saminu’s career. He has displayed flashes of a superstar in the making, and this experience should only sharpen his hunger for success. That said, I’m confident he will come good in the men’s 4x100 relay.”
Benjamin Azamati misses out on 100m semis
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Benjamin Azamati suffered a setback at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Saturday, September 13.
The ex-national 100m record holder was unable to advance to the semi-finals of the sprint event.
Source: YEN.com.gh
