Ghana’s Men’s 4x100m Relay Team Shines at World Relays, Secures Spot at Tokyo World Championships

Tokyo World Championships

Introduction

Ghana’s men’s 4x100m relay team has once again proven their mettle on the global stage, securing qualification for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo with a stellar performance at the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China. Clocking a season-best time of 38.32 seconds to finish second in Heat 1 on Sunday, May 11, 2025, the team has ignited national pride and set the stage for an exciting campaign in Tokyo. Let’s dive into the details of their achievement, how they’re performing, and what lies ahead at the upcoming World Championships.

Ghana’s Performance at the World Relays

The World Athletics Relays, held on May 10–11, 2025, at the Guangdong Olympic Stadium in Guangzhou, served as a critical qualifier for the 2025 World Athletics Championships, scheduled for September 13–21, 2025, in Tokyo. Ghana’s men’s 4x100m relay team, consisting of Barnabas Aggerh, Joseph Paul Amoah, Mustapha Alufar Bokpin, and Ibrahim Fuseini, delivered a standout performance in the second qualifying round (repechage) on Sunday.

After a setback on Day 1, where the team finished third in their heat with a time of 38.49 seconds—missing automatic qualification—the quartet regrouped and came back stronger. In the repechage, they ran a thrilling race, finishing just 0.01 seconds behind France, who won the heat with 38.31 seconds. Ibrahim Fuseini’s blistering anchor leg, clocking an impressive 9.04-second split, was the highlight of the race, propelling Ghana to second place and securing their ticket to Tokyo. This achievement marks a swift turnaround from their initial disappointment and underscores their resilience and teamwork.

The team’s season-best time of 38.32 seconds is a testament to their speed and precision, especially considering the fierce competition from sprinting powerhouses like France, Great Britain, and Poland. Their performance in Guangzhou also reflects their growing potential to challenge the world’s elite, as they narrowly missed their national record of 38.03 seconds, set in 2022 at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon.

Context of the Competition

The World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou featured 734 athletes from 43 countries, with the top 14 teams in each relay event earning automatic qualification for the Tokyo World Championships. The men’s 4x100m event was particularly competitive, with nations like South Africa (37.61 seconds, world-leading time), Japan, the United States, and China showcasing exceptional speed. Ghana’s Heat 1 on Day 1 saw them compete against Great Britain (38.18 seconds) and Poland (38.43 seconds), where they fell just short of the top two spots required for automatic qualification.

However, the repechage round provided a second chance, and Ghana seized the opportunity. Other teams qualifying in the second round included China (38.03 seconds), Australia (38.31 seconds), Belgium (38.49 seconds), and Kenya (38.51 seconds), while Korea set a national record of 38.51 seconds but narrowly missed qualification. Jamaica, a sprinting giant, faced a devastating setback, failing to complete their baton exchange for the second time in the competition.

Ghana’s qualification is a significant milestone, especially after their disqualification at the Paris 2024 Olympics due to a baton exchange error, despite a strong 38.62-second finish. The team’s focus on perfecting baton exchanges in training paid off in Guangzhou, ensuring a clean and efficient race.

What’s Left in the Competition

The World Athletics Relays concluded on May 11, 2025, with Ghana’s men’s 4x100m team successfully qualifying for the Tokyo World Championships. No further races remain in the Relays for Ghana, as their primary goal—securing a spot in Tokyo—was achieved. The focus now shifts to preparation for the World Championships, where they will compete against the world’s best from September 13–21, 2025.

At the Tokyo World Championships, the men’s 4x100m relay will feature intense competition, with teams like South Africa, the United States, Jamaica (if they recover from their recent struggles), and Italy (2021 Olympic champions) expected to vie for medals. Ghana’s goal will be to build on their recent performances, aim for a personal best, and potentially challenge for a finals spot—or even a historic medal, which would be a first for the country in the sprint relays at the Olympics or World Championships.

Ghana’s Path Forward

Under the guidance of coach George Sanford Pincock, the team is poised for success. Their consistent improvement, highlighted by a national record of 38.07 seconds in 2022 and a strong showing at the Paris 2024 Olympics (before disqualification), signals their readiness to compete at the highest level. The addition of athletes like Ibrahim Fuseini, whose anchor leg has been pivotal, and the experience of Joseph Paul Amoah, a mainstay of the team since 2019, provide a balanced and dynamic squad.

The Ghana Olympic Committee, led by Bawa Fuseini, has praised the team’s “hard work, discipline, and dedication,” expressing optimism about their potential to “elevate Ghana to the medal podium” in Tokyo. To achieve this, the team will likely focus on:

• Baton Exchange Perfection: Avoiding errors like the one in Paris will be critical.

• Individual Speed Development: Improving split times, especially for the opening and curve legs, could shave crucial hundredths of a second off their total time.

• Tactical Race Planning: Strategizing baton handoffs and positioning to maximize their strengths against top teams.

Conclusion

Ghana’s men’s 4x100m relay team has ignited excitement across the nation with their qualification for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Their season-best 38.32-second performance at the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, capped by Ibrahim Fuseini’s electrifying anchor leg, showcases their potential to compete with the world’s best. As they prepare for Tokyo, the team carries the hopes of a nation eager to see them make history. With their talent, teamwork, and determination, Ghana’s sprint stars are ready to shine on the global stage. See you in Tokyo!