In a thrilling display of speed and teamwork, Ghana’s men’s 4x100m relay team has earned qualification for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, set to take place from September 13 to 21.
The quartet, consisting of Barnabas Aggerh, Joseph Paul Amoah, Mustapha Bokpin, and Ibrahim Fuseini, clocked a season-best time of 38.32 seconds to finish second in their heat during the second qualifying round at the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China, on May 11, 2025.
Their performance, just 0.01 seconds behind heat winners France, secured their place at the prestigious global event and sparked celebrations among fans and athletes alike.
The road to Tokyo was not without challenges for Team Ghana. On the first day of the World Relays, May 10, the team narrowly missed automatic qualification after finishing third in their heat with a time of 38.49 seconds, behind Great Britain and Poland.
Despite a strong showing, with split times showcasing their speed—Barnabas Aggerh (10.55s), Joseph Paul Amoah (9.04s), Sean Safo-Antwi (9.77s), and Ibrahim Fuseini (9.13s)—they fell just 0.05 seconds short of Poland’s 38.43 seconds.
This setback meant Ghana had to compete in the repechage round on Sunday, where the top two teams from each heat would earn a World Championships berth.
Undeterred, the Ghanaian quartet regrouped and delivered a stellar performance in the second qualifying round. With Mustapha Bokpin stepping in for Sean Safo-Antwi, the team executed near-flawless baton exchanges and showcased their sprinting prowess. Ibrahim Fuseini, running the anchor leg, was the standout performer, blazing down the final stretch with a split of 9.04 seconds.
His electrifying run nearly overtook France’s Aymeric Priam, but Ghana settled for a close second, securing their ticket to Tokyo. France, with a team of Pablo Mateo, Jeff Erius, Ryan Zeze, and Priam, edged out Ghana by a mere hundredth of a second, clocking 38.31 seconds.
Ghana Athletics celebrated the achievement, posting on X: “We came through! Our 4x100m men’s team runs season’s best of 38:32 to qualify for the 2025 World Athletics Championship in Tokyo. Barnabas Aggerh, Joseph Paul Amoah, Mustapha Bokpin, Fuseini Ibrahim. See you in Tokyo!” The post captured the excitement and national pride surrounding the team’s success.
This qualification builds on Ghana’s recent achievements in sprint relays. The team has been steadily improving since rebuilding in 2019, with notable performances including a national record of 38.07 seconds at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, and qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics with a 38.29-second run at the Bahamas World Relays. Their consistency and ability to compete with sprinting powerhouses like France, Great Britain, and the United States signal a bright future.
The 2025 World Athletics Championships, hosted at Tokyo’s National Stadium, will mark the third time Japan has welcomed the event, following editions in 1991 (Tokyo) and 2007 (Osaka). The men’s 4x100m relay final, scheduled for the championships’ final day on September 21, promises to be a highlight, with Ghana now positioned to challenge the world’s elite.
The qualification system, which combines entry standards and world rankings, ensures a highly competitive field, and Ghana’s 38.32-second performance places them among the top contenders.
At the World Relays, the top 14 teams in each relay event secured automatic qualification for Tokyo, with the remaining two spots to be determined by world rankings between February 25, 2024, and August 24, 2025.
Ghana’s second-place finish in their repechage heat not only guaranteed their spot but also highlighted their ability to perform under pressure. Other notable qualifiers from the men’s 4x100m included the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Japan, and South Africa, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive championship.
Ghana’s qualification has ignited hopes of a historic medal at the World Championships. The team’s recent performances, including a fifth-place finish and national record at the 2022 World Championships, demonstrate their potential to break into the medal conversation. Joseph Paul Amoah, reflecting on past races, has emphasized the team’s focus on precision in baton exchanges and mental preparation, lessons that will be crucial in Tokyo.
Ibrahim Fuseini’s emergence as a clutch performer adds a dynamic element to the squad. His 9.04-second anchor leg in Guangzhou mirrors his 9.13-second split during the Paris 2024 Olympic qualification, where he ran the opening leg. The team’s ability to adapt, with athletes like Mustapha Bokpin stepping up, suggests depth and versatility that could prove vital in Tokyo.
