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In an epic final battle reserved only for the best, Paris Olympic-bound athlete, Edwin Gadayi, shrugged off stiff opposition from former Ghana Olympian and two-time Fastest Human, Sarfo Ansah to become, the latest champion of the GNPC Ghana’s Fastest Human competition.  

The 2024 edition of the coveted Ghana’s Fastest Human Athletics Championship came to an exciting close last Saturday at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, bringing together over a hundred of Ghana’s fastest athletes drawn from all corners of the country.

 

The event, showcasing an impressive display of speed and determination, commenced with the preliminary heats featuring very intense races in the U15, U18, and Seniors male and female categories. Winners and runners-up advanced to the finals which befitted its status.

Gadayi, running a time of 10.24s, dethroned his Sagnation teammate, Sarfo Ansah, who finished second with a time of 10.45s. The Ghana Armed Forces’ Michael Cudjoe clocked a time of 10.54s to complete the winner’s stand in 3rd place.

 

Notably, Gadayi had previously won gold in the 100 meters at the GNPC Sponsored Confederation of Africa Athletics Region II Championship, also hosted at the University of Ghana Stadium earlier this month. His impressive performance earned him the title after previous heartbreaks and his relief was palpable. “Winning this title means a lot to me,” Gadayi stated. “It’s been a long time coming. For years, I’ve been trying to win this competition, and here it is finally. I am so happy and proud,” he elatedly added.

Additionally, top female sprinter, Mary Boakye of the Ghana Armed Forces, emerged as a standout performer, dominating the women’s category with faultless runs in both the semi-final heat and finals.

 

Like Gadayi, Boakye unseated reigning champion, Janet Mensah of Sagnation, with a time of 11.43s to become Ghana’s Fastest Woman, claiming the title for the first time after several attempts. “It’s an incredible feeling to be crowned Ghana’s Fastest Woman,” Boakye said. “I trained so hard for this moment, and I'm grateful for the support of my coaches and family,” she said.

 

Janet Mensah and rising star, Naseera Quansah of SAMMO SHS in the Central Region, finished second and third recording 11.66s and 11.76s respectively.

 

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Ussif, who graced the occasion in the company of the President of the Ghana Athletics Association, Mr. Bawa Fuseini, congratulated the winners and stressed the government’s commitment to investing in the country’s athletic infrastructure. He noted that these investments are crucial for harnessing Ghana’s sprinting talent and providing world-class facilities for athletes to excel.

 

Representing the CEO of GNPC, Mr. Samuel Addoteye, Manager HSSE, expressed the Corporation’s satisfaction with its association with the competition. He emphasized that the event aligns with GNPC’s goal of leveraging sports as a tool for youth development. He praised the participating athletes for their dedication and urged them to aspire to greater heights, pledging GNPC’s continued support for sports development in Ghana.

 

In its 11th year, the GNPC Ghana’s Fastest Human Competition continues to be one of the major athletic events on the Ghanaian Sporting calendar, unearthing young athletes across the nation, and platforming many established sprinters.

 

See Full Results and List of Winners Below: 

 

 

• 1st Francis Cudjoe, Diabene Cath School, Western, (11.57)
• 2nd Abdulai R. Mahamudu, Gbewah Athletics Club, Northern Region (11.80)
• 3rd Harrison Adjei, Madina Demo. School, Greater Accra (11.86)

 

• 1st Florence Dartey, Ridge Experimental Sch, Bono Region (12.74)
• 2nd Adelaide Fosuaa, Sunyani Presby School, Bono (12.77)
• 3rd Comfort Mensah, Tanoso ANG School, Ashanti (12.81)

 

• 1st Abubakar Hamzah, OKESS, Ashanti Region (10.82)
• 2nd Isaac Beniako, OKESS, Ashanti Region (11.13)
• 3rd Kwesi Hayford, Shama SHS, Western Region (11.20)

 

• 1st Abigail Aboagye, Edinaman SHS, Central Region (12.45)
• 2nd Suleman Fulera L, Nana Effah School, Bono Region (12.53)
• 3rd Abigail Appiah, Edinaman SHS, Central Region (12.54)

 

• 1st Edwin Gadayi, Sagnation Club, Ashanti Region (10.24)
• 2nd Sarfo Ansah, Sagnation Club, Ashanti Region (10.45)
• 3rd Michael Cudjoe, GAF, Western (10.54)

 

• 1st Mary Boakye, GAF, Western Region (11.43)
• 2nd Janet Mensah, Sagnation Club, Ashanti Region (11.66)
• 3rd Naseera Quansah, Sammo SHS, Central Region (11.76)