Germany’s Emil Agyekum proudly traces roots to Konongo at World Athletics Championship

Emil Agyekum, one of Germany’s brightest rising stars in the 400m hurdles, has revealed his strong ties to Ghana after storming into the final of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

The 26-year-old produced the race of his life in the semifinals, clocking a personal best of 47.83 seconds to finish third in a fiercely contested heat.

His time was enough to qualify as one of the fastest losers, joining heavyweights Abderrahman Samba of Qatar (47.63s), Karsten Warholm of Norway (47.72s), and America’s Rai Benjamin (47.95s) in the final.

Speaking after the race in an interview with journalist Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo, Agyekum proudly shared his Ghanaian heritage.

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“My name is Nana Kwame Agyekum. This was the best race of my life, and I had so much fun. I am proud to represent Germany, but I also love my mother country, Ghana. My mum is from Konongo. I was born in Germany, but I lived in Ghana between the ages of four and six. Those were the best years of my life,” he said.

For Agyekum, who has steadily climbed the European athletics ranks since winning bronze at the 2016 European U18 Championships, reaching the World Championships final represents the pinnacle of years of hard work.

He admitted that his focus is not just on medals, but on enjoying the moment.

“For the final, I just want to have fun, give everything, my mind, my body, and my soul and do what I do best,” he added.

Asked about competing alongside athletes from his motherland, Agyekum said “Every time I see them, I’m happy. I really like the boys. It feels like having family on the track.”

With his breakthrough performance, Agyekum will be hoping to puts himself on the global athletics map in the finals.

Watch the interview below:

FKA/JE

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