Ghanaian sprinter Benjamin Azamati has surged into the semifinals of the men’s 100m event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, showcasing his prowess with a season-best time of 10.08 seconds.
Competing on Saturday morning, Azamati, who holds the national record for Ghana, demonstrated exceptional speed and technique to secure his advancement to the next round.
Azamati, now eyeing a sub-10-second time, aims to secure his place in the final of one of athletics’ most prestigious events.
In a dramatic heat, fellow Ghanaian Jeremiah Azu, representing Great Britain, faced disappointment after being disqualified for a false start. Azu, born in the Netherlands and raised in Wales, contested the decision before exiting the track.
Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson won the heat, the fastest man of the year, with an impressive time of 10.00 seconds. Thompson, who clocked a remarkable 9.77 seconds at Jamaica’s Olympic trials, is a frontrunner for the gold medal.
Azamati claimed second place in the heat, while Cuba’s Reynaldo Espinosa secured third, ensuring all three athletes progressed to the semifinals.
Azamati’s performance has reignited hopes of a medal following the disappointment of the African Games. The 26-year-old sprinter is a national hero in Ghana, where his achievements are closely followed and celebrated.
Attention now turns to Azamati as he prepares for Sunday’s semifinals. Expectations are high for a thrilling continuation of his Olympic journey.
