Tokyo 2025: Rose Yeboah Makes History as First Ghanaian to Qualify for High Jump Final
- Ghanaian high jumper Rose Yeboah reached a remarkable milestone at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo
- Rose revealed that this achievement holds deep personal meaning, especially after enduring a tough outing at the Paris Olympic Games
- She now gears up for Sunday’s final, where she will face world record holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh and Australia’s Nicola Olyslagers
Rose Amoanimaa Yeboah has etched her name in the nation’s sporting history, becoming the first Ghanaian athlete to qualify for the women’s high jump final at the World Athletics Championships.
She secured her spot in the showdown after placing ninth in the qualifiers on Thursday, September 18.
Source: Getty Images
Rose Yeboah makes history in women's High Jump
The 23-year-old began her journey to history by clearing 1.83 metres on her second attempt, followed by another successful leap at 1.88 metres.
With the pressure mounting, she soared over 1.92 metres to seal her place in Sunday’s final.
The achievement immediately sent waves of excitement across social media, as Ghanaians poured in congratulatory messages.
On X, formerly Twitter, users couldn’t hold back their joy.
@TabiChelsea wrote:
“Wow, congratulations to her.”
@Chef_Charmaine added:
“Congratulations to Rose Yeboah 🙏.”
Another user, @Kayjnr10, hailed her effort as:
“Incredible Rose Yeboah. This is huge 👏🙌.”
Sports journalist @Dani77k summed up the emotions with:
“Seeing the Ghana flag has made me so happy. Thanks Rose Yeboah 🔥🇬🇭.”
Watch how Rose Yeboah made history:
For Yeboah, this achievement carries personal meaning after a difficult Olympic Games in Paris, where the absence of her coach affected her performance. Reflecting on her breakthrough, she told Fentuo Tahiru:
"I needed this. After the Olympic Games, I went through a lot, but I’m happy I could make the final. I’m so happy."
Watch her full interview here:
Already a two-time African Games champion, Yeboah now sets her sights on pulling off a surprise in the final.
She owns a personal best of 1.97 metres, achieved at the 2024 NCAA Championships, but will face world-class opposition.
Source: Twitter
The final will see her line up against heavyweights like Yaroslava Mahuchikh of Ukraine, the world record holder at 2.10 metres, and Australia’s Nicola Olyslagers, a two-time Olympic silver medalist.
According to the Olympics, both have dominated the event in recent years and are tipped for medals once again.
Ghana's performance at 2025 World Athletics Championship
Yeboah’s success also provides a much-needed lift for Team Ghana, who have endured a difficult campaign in Tokyo.
Benjamin Azamati failed to progress past the heats in the men’s 100 metres, while Abdul-Rasheed Saminu bowed out in the semi-finals despite showing promise.
Ibrahim Fuseini’s sixth-place finish in the 200 metres and Alex Amankwah’s eighth-place exit in the 800 metres further highlighted the team’s struggles.
Watch Fuseini's race:
Against that backdrop, Yeboah’s historic qualification has offered Ghanaian athletics a spark of hope and pride, with the nation eagerly waiting to see how far she can soar in the final.
Rose Yeboah wins gold at African Games
YEN.com.gh previously reported that Rose Yeboah clinched gold in the women’s high jump at the 13th African Games on March 19, 2024.
She soared above her rivals, finishing ahead of Guinea’s Balley Fatoumata, who cleared 1.81 metres to take silver, while Algeria’s Darina Hadil Rezik settled for bronze with a 1.78-metre jump.
Source: YEN.com.gh
