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Ghanaian sprinter Sean Safo-Antwi
Ghanaian sprinter Sean Safo-Antwi

Safo-Antwi: I’ve big plans for Tokyo 2020

Ghanaian sprinter Sean Safo-Antwi went to the Rio Games with a mission, and though that failed, he was already looking forward to the next Games to achieve his dream.

Safo-Antwi was disappointed he could not progress beyond the first round of the men’s 100 metres events as he only  managed a time of 10.43 seconds in his heat.

However, the 25-year-old is taking positives from his maiden Olympic appearance and is hopeful of better performance for Ghana in future international competition, particularly next year’s World Athletic Championship in his home city, London. 

“The Olympic game did not go according to plan; I had a plan for Rio but it was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be.

“It’s a great team and everybody came to the Olympics for the first time and you can’t expect to do such a great thing,” he admitted in an interview with liquidsports.com.

“It wasn’t the greatest result. But the future is good. I can take all the experience from this and take to the World Championships in London.”

For a man born in London to Ghanaian parents but only made a nationality switch a few months ago, having previously represented Great Britain, representing his fatherland in Rio was an amazing experience. And he is even looking forward to running for Ghana at the next Olympics in Tokyo in 2020.

“I have big plans right until the 2020 Games in Tokyo. My career goals include making it to the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, World Championship, and other major competitions. The next World championship is in London, my hometown where members of the athletics team need to make it to the final and possibly win a medal,” he said in an interview at the Games Village in Rio.

The sprinter, who previously represented Britain, admitted that despite his personal desire to run for his Ghana, his Ghanaian trainer, Jonas Tawiah-Dodoo, greatly encouraged him to make the move as quickly as possible.

With Ghana offering him greater prospects to participate in the Olympic games, Safo-Antwi  did not hesitate to follow his heart’s desire. 

“When I joined my new coach  Tawiah-Dodoo in 2011, he asked me to consider running for Ghana. I said I wouldn’t consider running for Ghana unless I’m in top shape. I don’t want to run and disappoint the team.

“As time went on and it got closer to the 2016 Olympic Games, we realised that running for Ghana was one of the best opportunities for us, even though I could have still run for Team Great Britain, I am a Ghanaian and wanted to represent my country greatly.”

Despite Ghana’s poor showing compared with the stellar performance of Britain in Rio, Safo-Antwi said he has not regretted his decision to represent Ghana at the Games.

“It was a good decision I made. I couldn’t have asked for anything more than the chance to represent Ghana.”

With the Olympics over and the season almost ended for him, the athlete plans to take a break  for holidays, including a visit to Ghana to meet his extended family. 

 

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