Benjamin Azamati advances to Paris 2024 100m semi-finals

Ghanaian star sprinter Benjamin Azamati has advanced to the semi-finals of the men’s 100m at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with a season-best time of 10.08 seconds.

Competing on Saturday morning, Azamati, who holds the Ghanaian national record, showcased his exceptional talent to secure his spot in the next round.

Now, he aims to run a sub-10-second time, which could be crucial for qualifying for the final in one of the most prestigious events in athletics.

The heat saw some drama when Jeremiah Azu, also of Ghanaian descent, was disqualified for a false start. Azu, who represents Great Britain, was visibly frustrated and argued with officials before reluctantly leaving the track.

Despite his Ghanaian heritage, Azu was born in the Netherlands and raised in Wales, making his mark in British athletics.

The heat was won by Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, the fastest man in 2024, with an impressive time of 10.00 seconds. Thompson, who clocked a phenomenal 9.77 seconds at Jamaica’s Olympic trials, is a strong favourite for the gold medal.

Azamati finished second, and Cuba’s Reynaldo Espinosa came third, with all three athletes advancing to the semi-finals.

Benjamin Azamati 🇬🇭 has qualified to next round after finishing 2nd in his heat with 10.08s#3SportsGH #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/jfXFLQfFMP

— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) August 3, 2024

Azamati’s performance has rekindled hopes of a medal after the heartbreak of the African Games. The 26-year-old is a national hero, and his every move is followed with bated breath. A spot in the final, let alone a medal, would be a dream come true for the nation.

All eyes will be on Azamati as he lines up for the semi-finals, scheduled for Sunday.