Benjamin Azamati books Tokyo 2025 spot

Ghanaian sprint sensation Benjamin Azamati has punched his ticket to the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo after a blistering 9.98-second dash at the McNab Sprint Series on Thursday, 22 May.

The 27-year-old stormed to victory in the men’s 100m final, shattering his season-best (SB) of 10.02 seconds, set earlier this month at the Desert Heat Classic.

His electrifying performance not only earned him gold but also secured his place among the world’s elite sprinters at September’s championships in Tokyo.

Dominance from start to finish

Azamati set the tone early, blazing through the preliminaries with a commanding 10.15-second win in Heat 1—finishing a staggering 0.45 seconds ahead of his nearest rival, Sebastian Lopez (10.60 seconds).

But the Ghanaian saved his best for last. In a thrilling final, he smashed through the sub-10-second barrier, clocking 9.98 seconds—a time that now places him joint-17th on the World Athletics 100m qualification list.

Making history for Ghana

Azamati’s latest feat cements his status as one of Ghana’s greatest sprinters. Of the country’s nine wind-legal sub-10 performances, he now owns four, including the national record (NR) of 9.90 seconds, set in 2022.

Only two other Ghanaians—Leo Myles-Mills and Aziz Zakari—have multiple sub-10 runs (two each), while Joseph Amoah has one.

Road to Tokyo 2025

With the World Championships just months away, Azamati’s form suggests he could be a contender on the global stage, but can the 27-year-old challenge for a medal in Tokyo?

Fans across Ghana, Africa, and the global athletics community will be watching closely as the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships approaches.