Ghana’s first skeleton Olympian, Akwasi Frimpong, has made historical past as the primary African athlete to compete in 5 World Championships in any sliding sport after qualifying for the upcoming World Championships in Lake Placid, New York.
Frimpong shared this groundbreaking feat on his official social media pages yesterday, February 9, 2025.
He expressed gratitude to everybody who has supported him through the years as he continues to interrupt obstacles on the ice.
Frimpong posted an image with the caption:
I’m extremely grateful to share that I’ve formally certified for my fifth World Championships, making me the primary African athlete in historical past to compete in 5 World Championships in any sliding sport. Grateful for the help and resilience on this journey.
Frimpong’s achievement serves as an inspiration to African athletes aspiring to excel in winter sports activities.
The World Championships will happen in 2025 on March 6–9 and 15–16.
Frimpong’s skilled journey
Frimpong, a former Dutch junior champion within the 200-meter sprints, was born in Kumasi, Ghana however later moved to the Netherlands.
He determined to compete for Ghana in skeleton to qualify for the Olympics. Frimpong earned a spot for Africa’s continental delegation within the skeleton competitors and certified for the 2018 Olympics.
The 38-year-old made historical past as the primary African skeleton athlete to win an elite skeleton race authorised by the USA Bobsled and Skeleton Federation in Park Metropolis, Utah, on February 29, 2020.
After fulfilling the {qualifications} set forth by the Worldwide Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), Frimpong made his debut on the World Championships in 2017.
He has since participated in 4 World Championships.
Frimpong late final 12 months revealed in an exclusive interview with Pulse Ghana when he plans on retiring from the sports activities.
He stated he’ll formally retire from the game after the 2026 Winter Olympics scheduled for Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
