Ghana’s national 100m record holder Benjamin Azamati booked his place to the semi-final of the 100m, with a 10.08s finish in heat 1 at the Olympic Games.
Azamati, who came into the race with a season’s best finish of 10.05s, was up against Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson (the fastest man in 2024), as well as Espinosa Reynaldo, Jeremiah Azu, Felipe Bardi, Higashida Akhiro and Kayhan Ozer.
Britain’s Jeremiah Azu was disqualified after a false start, leaving 8 men to compete for the top 3 automatic qualifying spots.
Kishane Thompson finished ahead of the pack in 10.00s, with Azamati taking second in 10.08, while Espinosa’s 10.11s was good enough to get him the last automatic spot into the semis.
Azamati, who failed to advance to the semis in the 100m in the last Olympics with a fourth place finish in 10.13s, will have the opportunity to make it to a first-ever final when he participates in his maiden semi-final tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Abdul Rasheed Saminu also secured qualification with a blistering 10.06s finish to take third in his heat, progressing to the semi-finals in the process.
Team Ghana will be aiming for a first ever track and field medal, with high jumper Rose Yeboah knocking down the bar at 1.92m, leaving the track athletes (100m, 200m & 4x100m) to shoulder the medal responsibilities.
–
Story by: Andrews Sefa Bamfo| univers.ug.edu.gh
