Benjamin Azamati Skips World Relays to Focus on World Championships – Ghana Athletics President
Ghana’s national 100m record holder, Benjamin Azamati, has opted out of the upcoming World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China, in order to focus fully on preparing for the 2025 World Championships set for September.
Azamati, who broke the long-standing national record in 2022 with a blistering 9.90-second run, was a member of the Ghanaian relay team that earned qualification to the World Relays during the Paris Olympic Games. However, the speedster has requested to be excused from national duty for this competition.
Confirming the news to JoySports, President of Ghana Athletics, Bawa Fuseini, said:
“We have assembled our best athletes for the World Relays, excluding Benjamin Azamati who has asked permission that he has got other things to do in preparing for the World Championships, and we have given him that leave.”
In Azamati’s absence, Ghana will count on a capable lineup led by seasoned sprinters including Joseph Paul Amoah, Ibrahim Fuseini, Sean Sarfo Antwi, Barnabas Aggerh, and Mustapha Bokpin. Aggerh impressed during his appearance at the 2023 African Games and is set to bring further depth to the squad.
Despite Azamati’s withdrawal, Fuseini remains confident in the team’s ability to deliver.
“But we still have a very quality team – Fuseini, Joe Paul Amoah, Barnabas Aggerh, Sean Sarfo Antwi – and they are a formidable team. We pray and we know that they will qualify for the World Championships come September this year.”
The World Athletics Relays are scheduled to take place in Guangzhou, China, from May 10 to 11, 2025. The event will serve as a critical qualifying competition for the World Championships, and Team Ghana will be hoping to maintain their presence among the sport’s elite in Azamati’s temporary absence.
