The sprint duo from Ghana, Benjamin Azamati and Abdul Rasheed Saminu, failed to qualify for the last 100 meters at the current Olympic Games in Paris, 2024.
With respectable timings, the pair put on a spectacular run in the semifinals to raise hopes for the championship.
Benjamin Azamati, who started the race in lane 3 for Heat 1, finished ninth with a time of 10.17, making it difficult for him to advance to the finals.
Seville Oblique of Jamaica won the race in 9.81 seconds, while Lyles Noah of America finished in second place with a mark of 9.83.
Benjamin Azamati laments his failure to make the final cut, despite being the first Ghanaian to go to the semi-finals of the Olympic Games.
“One of the best races this season and one of my worst but I can’t complain. I have worked hard to get here and finishing at the semis is good for me. I couldn’t put up a good race but it’s still a learning process.”
“The best way is not to give up. I’m getting back to training hard for the subsequent championships. I have mastered the art of controlling my emotions in the block, which has been the greatest lesson”.
In Heat 3, debutant Abdul Rasheed Saminu also set a time of 10.05 to claim the seventh spot in the competition.
The 26-year-old’s record surpasses Ferdinand Omanyala, the African champion.
Thompson Kishane won the Heat race with a time of 9.80, while Kelly Fred of America took second place and achieved his best result of the season with a time of 9.85.
The top two competitors from each heat race, together with the two sprinters who clock in the fastest, advance to the Stade France finals.
Source: newsthemegh.com