Team Ghana aka the Golden Arms dominated the 15th Africa Armwrestling Championship last Friday and Saturday at the Borteyman Sports Complex, leading the medals table with 71 gold, 63 silver and 34 bronze medals, totaling 168 medals
Benin featuring a young team were runners up with 23 gold, 28 silver and 27 bronze totaling 79 medals, while South Africa parading an all white squad placed third with 16 gold, 5 silver and 4 bronze tollaing 25 medals, and Nigeria took the fourth position with 15 gold, 9 silver and 16 bronze totallaing 39 medals.
Technical Director of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation, Mr. Hussein Akuete Addy told Yours Truly in an exclusive interview that they really prepared well to host and win.
He congratulated the pullers for their hard work, dedication, determination and focus which has resulted in them making Ghana proud, and ruling the continent.
“In fact, I am the head technical man for Africa, and very happy for Ghana because they are really working hard and developing the sport to other places” he said.
He expressed that anyone can play Armwrestling as it is not expensive with equipment and called on the youth of Ghana to patronise the sport.
He added that Armwrestling is not only centred in Accra as the pullers were recruited and selected from the whole nation.
Mr. Addy called on corporate Ghana to consider partnering the Ghana Armwrestling Federation because they are the fastest developed Sports in Ghana.
According to Mr. Addy the African Games has welcomed Armwrestling and next year Ghana would be represented in Egypt.
Poster Boy of the 15th African Armwrestling Championship, Godwin Sackey disclosed that through the sport, he is now gainfully employed and has travelled to some countries. He urged the youth not to be idle but join the sport.
Mr. Evans Yeboah, Treasurer of the Ghana Olympic Committee GOC who was at the event noted that the sporting ecosystem is challenging and hoped other federations would organise themselves well to catch up with the current scientific methods.
He was elated that many pullers from the Ghana Armwrestling Federation have qualified for the next African Games in Egypt.
World champion and former SWAG Award winner Grace Mintah of the Ghana Police Service who participated and won gold said this year’s Championship was very exciting and an improvement.
Yours Truly had chats with reps from some of the countries who took part and they commended their President Charles Osei Asibey for his passion and creativity in organising events.
Raphael Lankai, Blessed Abeka Nunoo and the other medalists expressed their excitement by dancing at the hall where the event was held and the residence of the Mayor of Accra where a reception was hosted by Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey.
A total of 22 nations participated at the 15th African Armwrestling Championship where Mr. Charles Osei Asibey was retained unopposed as President till 2030, while Dr. Kojo Addo Agyekum of Kofikrom Pharmacy was elected President for the West Africa region.
Minister of Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Adams who celebrated his birthday on Saturday congratulated all participants and prayed that Ghana will shine again and maintain her position at the next championship.
Charles Osei Asibey congratulated the Golden Arms for their incredible performance at the 15th African Armwrestling Championship. He said “Whether you stood on the podium or pushed your opponent to the limit, your dedication has elevated the sport in our country.
We have shown Africa our strength, and the journey to Cairo and Atananarivo starts now! Congratulations to our athletes, coaches, and the fans who cheered us on from every corner of the country. We didn’t just pull; we conquered! Thank you Ghana, Thank you partners. The Energy is Adonko Next Level Energy Drink”
By Sammy Heywood Okine
