Ghana’s Saminu Misses 100m Final at World Athletics Championships

Ghana’s fastest man, Abdul-Rasheed Saminu, has narrowly missed out on a place in the men’s 100m final at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, extending the country’s two-decade wait for representation in the event.

Saminu competed in the semi-final on Sunday, September 14, 2025, where he placed fourth in Heat 3 with a time of 10.08 seconds, falling just short of qualification.

The 22-year-old sprinter entered the competition in fine form after a strong season and raised hopes of breaking Ghana’s long absence in the medal race. Saminu had looked confident in the heats, finishing second in Heat 7 to book his place in the semi-finals.

Ahead of the race, he declared his ambition to reach the final and prove himself among the world’s elite sprinters.

However, despite a determined effort, Saminu narrowly missed the mark. Running in semifinal Heat 3, he clocked 10.08 seconds, a time that was not enough to secure him a lane in the final.

His elimination means Ghana’s drought in the men’s 100m final continues. The last athlete to reach that stage was Aziz Zakari, who competed in the final at the 2005 World Championships.

Saminu later reflected on his journey, crediting a balanced NCAA season for keeping him in shape and boosting his confidence. His victory over established sprinters like South Africa’s Akani Simbine in the continental tour had also raised expectations. But on the Tokyo track, the competition proved too tough this time.

Although disappointed, Saminu’s debut at the World Championships remains a positive sign for Ghanaian athletics. His performance shows that the nation still has athletes capable of challenging at the top level.