Minister for Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Iddie Adams was thrilled to high-performance battles during the Independence Armwrestling Challenge, held at the Center Point Mall in Accra.
There were wow performances from top armwrestling athletes from Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, and Togo.
The event, organized by the Ghana Armwrestling Federation, was held to celebrate Ghana’s independence and commemorate armwrestling’s historic feat of winning 41 medals for Ghana during the 2023 African Games.
In the female +80kg category, Ghana’s Grace Minta put up a spectacular display, beating opposition from Nigeria, Benin, and Togo to grab the gold medal. Her compatriots, Florence Boakye and Afia Kumah, won silver and bronze medals respectively, making it a clean sweep for Ghana in the female +80kg category.
In the male category, African Games medalist Wisdom Abromekeyi cleared all opposition to take home the gold medal in the 65kg category, beating Daniel Acquah and Benin Amoono Stephen in the process.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s new kid on the block, Joshua Yeboah from Chicken Wing Club, sensationally dominated the 90kg men’s category with ease. Yeboah, a rising star in Ghanaian Armwrestling, cleared all experienced champions and pullers from Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, and Benin to win the gold medal, announcing his arrival on the big stage.
Present at the event were several dignitaries, including Minister for Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Adams, Vice President of GAF, Dr. Kofi Addo Agyekum, Hon Joseph Cudjoe, former Minister for State Enterprises, and Hon. Dickson Kyere Duah, MP for Berekum West.
Others present were the Chief Director of the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, Mr Willaim Katey, GAF Board members including Mr Godfrey Amarteifio, and Mr Robeter Appiah Ameyaw, together with Armwrestling Presidents of Benin, Togo, and Nigeria.
Also in attendance were Dr Bitigu Bello representing the Center Point Mall, Greater Accra Regional Minister’s Representative, Richard Akpokavie Esq of the Ghana Olympic Committee, Mr Kwabena Adisi aka Bola Ray of EIB Network, Mr Santok of GHOne TV, other National federation Presidents including Mr Ernest Danso from Baseball and Softball, Shaban Mohammed from Ghana Cycling, George Owusu Ansah from Sports for All
The President of Ghana Armwrestling, Africa Armwrestling, and Vice President of the World Armwrestling Federation, Charles Osei Asibey, expressed his delight at the success of the event. “I am thrilled to see the growth of Armwrestling in Ghana and Africa as a whole. This event is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our athletes, coaches, and officials,” he said.
President Osei Asibey commended the Ghana Armwrestling Federation and partners for organizing a successful event. “I am proud of the GAF’s backroom for hosting a world-class event that brought together top athletes from Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, and Togo,” he added.
See other results below:
65kg (Women)
Gold – Marie Rose (Benin)
Silver – Adefunke Adeniforo (Nigeria)
Bronze – Mabel Yeboah (Ghana)
65kg (Men)
Gold – Wisdom Abromakyi (Ghana)
Silver – Daniel Acquah (Ghana)
Bronze – Benin Amoono Stephen (Ghana)
80+kg (Women)
Gold – Grace Mintah (Ghana)
Silver – Florence Boakye Mensah
Bronze – Efia Kumah (Ghana)
90kg (Men)
Gold – Joshua Yeboah (Ghana)
Silver – Abdul Razak (Togo)
Bronze – Emmanuel Tuesday (Nigeria)
90+kg (Men)
Gold – Mohammed Ismael (Togo)
Silver – Obilom Chikueze Steven (Nigeria)
Bronze – Atindana Adams (Ghana)
The Independence Armwrestling Challenge was part of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation’s efforts to promote the sport and identify new talent. The event was attended by officials from the Ghana Olympic Committee, the National Sports Authority, and other stakeholders in the sports industry.
The Ghana Armwrestling Federation has expressed its gratitude to the organizers, sponsors, and participants who made the event a success. The federation is committed to developing the sport and producing world-class athletes who can compete at the international level.
The next major armwrestling event in Ghana is the Kids Armwrestling expected to draw thousands of kids to the table and encourage participation.