Can Benjamin Azamati regain his glory in Paris?
The 26-year-old has endured a challenging year marked by injury and inconsistent performances
Benjamin Azamati, Ghana’s sprint star, faces a critical test at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Once a blistering force on the track, the 26-year-old has endured a challenging year marked by injury and inconsistent performances.
A fall from grace?
The Accra-born athlete has seen his 100m times slip from the exceptional to the merely respectable.
His 2024 average of 10.27 seconds is a stark contrast to the sub-10-second brilliance that earned him the men’s 100m national record (9.90 seconds) in 2022.
The root of the problem can be traced back to a groin injury suffered in 2023, which sidelined him for months.
A subsequent hip flexor issue further hampered his progress, resulting in a disappointing fifth place in the men’s 100m at the 13th African Games, running 10.54 seconds in the heat, 10.41 seconds in the semifinal, and 10.45 seconds in the final back in March.
The Ghanaian would also finish fourth at the Texas A&M Alumni Muster, finishing the 100m in a time of 10.54 seconds.
However, there have been glimmers of hope. Azamati secured bronze at the Texas Tech Corky/Crofoot Shootout (10.03 seconds) and has steadily improved his form in recent months.
A standout performance at the Motonet GP Kuortane, where he clocked a season-best (SB) 10.05 seconds, offered a tantalising glimpse of his potential.
A tough road ahead
Despite qualifying for Paris via world ranking, Azamati’s road to Olympic glory is fraught with uncertainty.
The men’s 100m field at the Paris Games is stacked with world-class talent, with American sprinters Christian Coleman and Noah Lyles tipped to be favourites for the gold with their consistent runs of under nine seconds this year.
Kenyan powerhouse Ferdinand Omanyala and Botswana star Letsile Tebogo are also strong contenders, occupying the third and fourth spots in the world rankings, respectively.
Azamati’s average 2024 time would have placed him outside the top 10 at four of the last five Games. Yet, his personal best (PB) of 9.90 seconds remains a reminder of his immense talent.
While a medal in Paris might be optimistic, Azamati’s journey is far from over. With continued dedication and recovery, he can still reclaim his position as one of Africa’s premier sprinters.
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