Ghana has won two bronze medals at the 19th African Sambo Championship, held in Conakry, Guinea from May 24 to 26, 2025.
Abdullah Iddris-Sandor secured bronze in the -58kg Sports Sambo category, while Vincent Boateng earned bronze in Beach Sambo (-58kg) after an earlier loss in the Combat Sambo event.
The international championship, hosted at the Sports Palace 28 September Stadium, featured 82 athletes from 19 African countries.
Team Ghana, led by Sambo coach Jonathan Amponsah, competed in both Combat and Beach Sambo categories. Amponsah described the tournament as both exciting and challenging, emphasizing that Ghana must continue to be part of such high-level competitions.
“It was an exciting and tough programme. I commend the athletes for their high-spirited performances,” Amponsah said.
On the first day, Vincent Boateng was defeated in the Combat Sambo category but bounced back to claim a bronze medal in Beach Sambo.
The event drew several high-profile dignitaries, including Guinea’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Bojola Haba, and Ghana’s Ambassador to Guinea, H.E. Maxwell A. Awiaga, who praised the performance of the Ghanaian athletes.
Guinea’s Prime Minister, H.E. Amadou Oury Bah, also attended the opening ceremony, applauding the strong participation from various African nations.
President of the Ghana Sambo Federation, Mr. Alex Amoako, expressed pride in the team’s achievement and reiterated the federation’s commitment to building a strong structure to gain global recognition. He also called for support, partnerships, and sponsorships to help put Ghana on the international Sambo map.
