The Record-Breaking Run
On Friday, about 5:35 pm, during the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) East first round in Jacksonville, Florida, Abdul Rasheed Saminu made history after completing the quarterfinal 100m race.
He finished the race 1st, with 9.86s. Aside this being a personal best for the Ghanaian, it makes him the fastest Ghanaian ever to run 100m, dethroning Benjamin Azamati who set the bar at 9.90s.
Proudly, this incredible achievement makes him second fastest man in the world in 2025, after Trayvon Brommel who won the Rome Diamond League with 9.84s yesterday.
On the continent this race has made Saminu the 4th fastest African man ever to run a 100-metre race.
At the College level, this race made him the second fastest in NCAA history.
Luck or Destined
This comes as less of a surprise to pundits around the world who have followed Saminu. He has been taking giant steps since his appearance on the world stage.
In 2022, he participated in the commonwealth games in Birmingham full of promise.
In 2024, he participated in the 100m race at Paris Olympics reaching the semi-finals. Finishing the competition among the top 16 100 metres runners in the world.
All this happened so fast after joining the University of Ghana, Legon in 2021. After a year at the University of Florida, he joined South Florida University in 2024.
Who is Saminu?
I am a street boy of Ashaiman -Interview with Bill Eshun 3 Sports (TV3)
Saminu was born in Welesi a community in the Northern Region of Ghana. He moved to Kumasi, Tafo where he had his high school education at Al-Zhariya Islamic High School.
It was in high school that Saminu develop interest in track events. Preparing him for the world.
After high school the storms of life whirled Saminu from Tafo to Ashaiman, joining his parent, and took menial jobs for survival.
He pushed trucks, collected rubbish and hawked “pure water” for survival.
He later earned himself a fare paycheck after becoming a “mate”- a bus conductor.
Providence led Saminu to fight with Razak a fellow conductor over passengers and the last straw that forced Saminu of the busy streets off Accra into University of Ghana, Legon, bringing him closer to his destiny.
Voice of Ghanaians
In an interview with Sporty FM, Benjamin Azamati expressed proudly his appreciation for Saminu for these incredible feet. He stated, “It just about performing at the highest level and representing the country with excellence.”
Abdul Rasheed Saminu is currently the fastest man in the world… – Bawah Fuseini (President, Ghana Athletics) on GHOne TV.
Solid bro. Keep it up @StevenKofi_56 on X.
We Dey your back my boy. Keep the fire burning 🔥
@rasheed_saminu by @nanagyamfi503.
What’s Next?
Saminu said he was committed to breaking Africa record and making it to World Championships. He has already qualified for Tokyo 2025.
