Abdul-Rasheed Saminu smashes 200m SB at NCAA Championships

Ghanaian sprint star Abdul-Rasheed Saminu has blazed to a new men’s 200m season best (SB) at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, held from 11-14 June at Hayward Field in Oregon, USA.

The 27-year-old University of South Florida athlete, who has dominated the 100m this season, continued his impressive form by clocking 20.26 seconds in the semi-finals – securing his spot in the final.

A strong semi-final but tough final

Saminu finished third in his semi-final behind Americans McCallum T’Mars (20.03 seconds) and Xavier Butler (20.12 seconds), earning the ninth and final qualifying spot for the championship race.

However, in the final, he couldn’t replicate his earlier speed, crossing the line in 20.55 seconds – 0.29 seconds slower than his semi-final time – to place eighth, just ahead of the USA’s Cameron Miller (20.56 seconds).

Saminu breaking barriers in 2025

Despite the final result, Saminu’s semi-final time was a season’s best, beating his previous 20.50 seconds set at May’s American Conference Outdoor Championships, where he won silver.

It also edges him closer to his personal best (PB) of 20.12 seconds, set at last year’s NCAA Championships.

However, Ghana’s national record (19.79 seconds), held by James Dadzie, remains just out of reach – for now.

From 100m record-breaker to 200m contender

Saminu has already made history this year by breaking Ghana’s 100m national record (9.86 seconds) and overtaking Benjamin Azamati as the country’s top-ranked sprinter – a title Azamati held for four years.

His 9.86-second performance also stands as the second-fastest 100m time globally this year, proving he’s a force in both sprints.

What’s next for Saminu?

With the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships approaching, Saminu’s progress in the 200m adds another layer to Ghana’s sprinting hopes.

Can he challenge Dadzie’s national record? Or will he focus on his explosive 100m speed?

One thing is certain – Abdul-Rasheed Saminu is a name to watch in global athletics.