Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong, extensively often called “The Snow Leopard,” made historical past as the primary Ghanaian to compete within the Winter Olympics.
Born on December 19, 1974, in Glasgow, Scotland, Kwame’s journey to the snowy slopes of Vancouver 2010 was something however odd.
He grew up within the UK and later moved to Milton Keynes. It was there that he took his first steps into snowboarding albeit not on actual snow, however on a synthetic slope the place he labored.
Whereas most athletes begin coaching at a younger age, Kwame solely learnt to ski as an grownup, however his ardour and willpower rapidly set him aside.
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He informed the BBC how he rapidly learnt the game:
It took me about half-hour to learn to ski… After my first 30 minute lesson, I used to be there each single day. The second I used to be not working or was on a break day, you’d discover me on the ski slope.
Olympic dream begins
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In 2004, at a Ski Present occasion, he and his coach caught the eye of Fergie Miller from Base Camp Group. Impressed by Kwame’s dream of snowboarding within the Olympics, Miller helped ship him to Méribel in France, which was his first expertise on actual snow.
Although nervous at first, Kwame tailored rapidly, and shortly he was coaching with former French ski group members Pascal Blanc and Didier Schmidt, specializing in slalom and big slalom occasions.
His first try and qualify for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Italy was reduce quick after his flight to a qualifying occasion in Iran was cancelled as a result of dangerous climate. However Kwame didn’t quit.
Turning into first Ghanaian Winter Olympian
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By 2009, he had certified for the 2010 Winter Olympics, incomes the required factors to symbolize Ghana. Competing within the males’s slalom, he completed 53rd out of 102. A proud second for the nation.
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There was nothing that would cease him from realising this dream when he got down to obtain this wonderful feat. Kwame shared that regardless of the challenges of beginning late, his focus was solely on attaining that historic feat.
I needed to point out folks that you possibly can qualify for the Olympics, not figuring out the right way to ski and I did it, so job achieved.
Kwame’s charity initiatives
Off the slopes, Kwame is simply as keen about giving again. He shaped the Ghanaian Winter Olympic Affiliation and pushed for the creation of Ghana’s first synthetic ski slope in Mamfe, hoping to encourage the subsequent era of Ghanaian skiers.
He’s additionally supported charities like Sabre, which builds faculties in disadvantaged components of Ghana, and even donates to causes defending the endangered snow leopard, the animal that impressed his nickname.
His efforts gained worldwide recognition. Canadian artist Ashley MacIsaac wrote a tune titled “Desires” in his honour, and Kwame himself performed conventional Ghanaian drums on the monitor. The tune raised funds for his causes and was launched through the 2010 Olympics.
Kwame’s private life
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Kwame has additionally made appearances on tv, together with a function in Season 9 of the ITV present Airline. Regardless of the eye, he stays grounded in household life. He’s married to Sena, a secretary on the Open College, and so they have two youngsters, Ellice and Jason.
Though he’s not associated to Ghana’s first president Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Nkrumah-Acheampong has carved out his personal legacy.
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His story of perseverance, delight, and keenness continues to encourage many younger Africans to chase their desires even when it seems unattainable as a result of their background.
