Abdul-Rasheed Saminu Breaks Ghana 100m National Record
Ghanaian sprinter Abdul-Rasheed Saminu has smashed the national record in the men’s 100 metres, clocking an astonishing 9.86 seconds to win his heat at the NCAA East Preliminary Round on Friday.
The 27-year-old speedster’s performance marks a monumental achievement, not only earning him qualification for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, but also tying him for the second-fastest time in NCAA history. His blistering 9.86s finish is just 0.04 seconds shy of the NCAA record of 9.82 seconds set by American Christian Coleman.
Saminu’s time eclipses the previous Ghana national record of 9.90 seconds, held by Benjamin Azamati since 2022. It is also a new personal best and the fastest legal 100m time recorded globally in the 2025 season so far.
Currently a student-athlete at the University of South Florida (USF), Saminu has been on a remarkable trajectory. Just last month, he ran a wind-assisted 9.87 seconds, hinting at his explosive potential. His consistency and speed earned him the title of USF’s Male Athlete of the Year for 2024.
Saminu’s performance on Friday now positions him as a key contender ahead of the World Championships in September, where he is expected to play a leading role in Ghana’s quest for its first-ever medal in track events at the global level.
