Ghana’s men’s 4x100m relay team lit up the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, storming to first place in their heat with a new national record of 37.79 seconds to secure a spot in the final.
The quartet of Ibrahim Fuseini, Benjamin Azamati, Joseph Paul Amoah, and Abdul-Rasheed Saminu combined precision with raw power to deliver one of the most electrifying relay runs in Ghana’s history. Their time eclipsed the previous record of 38.07 set at the 2022 Championships in Eugene.
Fuseini set the tone with a composed start, handing over smoothly despite not being the fastest out of the blocks. On the back straight, Azamati exploded into action, covering his leg in a blistering 8.74 seconds, the fastest of the entire race. His surge propelled Ghana into contention against the Netherlands and hosts Japan.
Joseph Paul Amoah carried the baton through the bend with authority, maintaining Ghana’s charge as he clocked 9.41 on his leg. The stage was then set for Saminu, already a 100m finalist in Tokyo, who powered down the home straight in 9.07 to cross the line first.
The result sent shockwaves across the stadium as Ghana not only won Heat 2 but also posted the fastest qualifying time overall. Canada followed with 37.85 in Heat 1, while the Netherlands and the United States also advanced with strong times. Japan, Germany, Australia, and France completed the line-up for the final.
The drama of the heats deepened as traditional powerhouses Great Britain and South Africa, both tipped as medal contenders, failed to finish their races. Their exit cleared a path for Ghana to dream bigger, raising hopes of a historic podium finish.
