Ghana’s national armwrestling team, the Golden Arms, delivered a stellar performance at the 14th African Armwrestling Championship, securing an impressive 50 medals at the Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, Nigeria.
The team’s remarkable achievement solidified their status as a dominant force in African armwrestling, showcasing skill, determination and national pride on a continental stage.
Competing against over 400 athletes from 20 countries, Ghana’s contingent of 20 athletes and four officials demonstrated their prowess across both Left and Right Hand competitions.
The Golden Arms clinched 11 gold, 11 silver and 2 bronze medals on the opening day trailing closely behind host nation Nigeria (24 gold, 19 silver, 19 bronze) and Cameroon (14 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze).
As the championship progressed, Ghana’s athletes added to their tally culminating in a total of 50 medals.
Team captain, Edward Asamoah, a standout performer, expressed confidence in the team’s preparation prior to the event.
“We’ve prepared from day one till now. It won’t be an easy journey, but with God on our side, we believe we’ll make Ghana proud,” he said during a media workout in Accra before departing for Abuja, Nigeria.
Ghana’s performance was particularly notable given the financial hurdles faced by the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF).
The Golden Arms’ ability to compete and excel under these constraints emphasised their resilience and dedication.
Technical Director, Hussein Addy, highlighted the squad’s readiness and strategic blend of veterans like world champion Grace Mintah and promising debutants.
“Our destination extends beyond Abuja – we aim to claim gold while ensuring no silver or bronze remains unclaimed,” Addy stated before the championship.
Mintah, a police officer and three-time African Championships gold medalist, continued to be a cornerstone of Ghana’s success, building on her historic World Armwrestling Championship gold in Moldova in 2024.
The 14th African Armwrestling Championship, which ran from July 23 to 27, 2025, was hailed as the largest in the sport’s history on the continent, with Nigeria leading the medal table on Day One.
The event also served as a qualifier for the 2025 World Championship in Bulgaria and the 2027 All-African Games in Egypt, adding further significance to Ghana’s medal haul.
For Ghana, the 50-medal triumph not only reaffirmed their dominance but also set a high bar for future competitions.
As the Golden Arms return home, their achievement resonates as a testament to their hard work and the growing influence of armwrestling in Ghana.
With their sights set on global stages, the team continues to inspire a nation and a continent, proving that strength and unity can overcome any challenge.
ALL/VPO
