Ghana’s middle-distance specialist Alex Amankwah has vowed to bounce back stronger after a disappointing outing at the 2025 World Athletics Championships.
The 33-year-old runner finished eighth in his 800m heats, ending his hopes of progressing to the semifinals.
In an interview after the race, Amankwah admitted it was an awful result but stressed that his ambition remains unchanged as he aims to represent Ghana at the LA 2028 Olympics, speaking to Ghanaian sports journalist Fentuo Tahiru.
“Certainly not the kind of result I wanted tonight. It’s an awful one for me this year. But I must move on, and I’d love to be at the 2028 Olympics,” he stated.
Amankwah has long carried Ghana’s hopes in the 800m. He is a former national record holder, having set a blistering time of 1:44.80 in 2015, a mark that placed him among Africa’s fastest runners at the time. He represented Ghana at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and has also competed at multiple World Championships. His career has been defined by consistency, hard work and an unrelenting drive to test himself on the global stage.
The World Championships are always fiercely competitive, with the 800m known for its fine margins. On the night, Amankwah struggled to find his rhythm in a heat where the frontrunners dictated an unforgiving pace. Despite his early exit, his reflections underline the mentality of an athlete unwilling to settle for domestic dominance. For Ghana, Amankwah remains an inspiration.
While the 2025 World Championships may not have produced the outcome he wanted, Amankwah’s words signal unfinished business. His dream of not just being Ghana’s best, but one of the world’s elite, is still alive. With his experience, proven pedigree and hunger to improve, Alex Amankwah’s journey is far from over.
