By Francis Ofori
Accra, May 21, GNA – The Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF) has set the tone for Team Ghana towards hosting and winning the 12th Africa Armwrestling Championship after successfully hosting this year’s K-Balm
National Championships on Saturday.
Wesley Grammar Senior High School was the venue of attraction with some exciting and interesting displays by the competitors.
The competition, which was a stepping stone towards the forthcoming African Armwrestling Championship saw lots of participants from all sectors of the country battle out in the various categories to gain a slot in the continental event.
The rollercoaster of emotions the pullers and supporters went through was indeed a sign of how far the Ghana Armwrestling Federation had come in helping to develop the sport nationwide.
In the Men’s 65kg category, Samuel Adjetey Sowah managed to give his opponents an arduous task to grab the top spot after going unbeaten in all his matches.
It was indeed an exciting time for the young champion who got the crowd gay, screaming his name out anytime he approached the table.
The likes of Abdul Rahman Issahak, Abdul Somad Suleman and Michael Mensah placed second and third places respectively in that category.
Rachael Lankai also emerged victorious in the female 65kg category while Blessed Naa Abeka Nunoo and Mary Quaye ended their campaign with second and third positions, respectively.
Wisdom Kofi Abromekyi emerged as the new champion in the men’s 80+kg division after overpowering Godwin Sackey and Aziz Wahab who were adjudged first and second runners-up.
Elsewhere in the Men’s 80kg, Thomas Bannor won the top honours with David Bantah and Desmond Mensah winning Silver and Bronze.
The female 90kg witnessed one of the most interesting and fierce battles as Rashida Abass, Mariam Yussif and Mary-Ann Abagale sailed through to occupy the top three positions.
History repeated itself in the men’s 90+kg where Derrick Adu Kwakye, popularly known as ‘Asoka GH retained his position, followed by Isaac Antwi Boasiako and Issah Kunyah, whiles Mariam Kadiri Moro also topped the female category ahead of Afia Kumah and Grace Mintah who finished second and third place, respectively.
Jonas Narh of Wesley Grammer Senior High School and Oliver Adam Atindani of KNUST Senior High School were presented with special awards for their excellent performance as first-timers.
Speaking in an interview with GNA Sports, Mr. Dickson Kyere-Dua, General Secretary for the Brong Ahafo and Bono East division of GAF said he was impressed with the performance of the pullers in the various categories.
“The future’s so bright, and we have a lot of tournaments coming up, so I am urging all pullers to prepare very well and per what we saw today, I am very confident we will have a strong representation at the African and World Championships and we will win lots of medals,” he noted.
He commended KofiKrom Pharmacy, producers of K-Balm ointment, Twillium Industries, Adamus Resources, Swaggers Restaurant, and Wadada Business Ventures for coming on board to support the event.
Ghana would host the 12th African Armwrestling Championship, which is scheduled for 21st June 2023 to 25th June 2023 at the GNAT Hall in Accra.
GNA