Commonwealth Games 2026: Benjamin Azamati Fails to Make Podium in 100m Final

Benjamin Azamati-Kwaku, Ghana’s sprinter and record holder since 2021, failed to reach the podium at the 2026 Commonwealth Games after a disappointing performance in the men’s 100 metres.

Benjamin’s failure to reach the podium was a major setback for Ghana, as he had an impressive performance in the men’s 100m heat, clocking 10.00 seconds to finish first and qualify for the semi-finals.

Azamati, a former student of Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School in Accra, finished fourth in Birmingham at the Commonwealth Games with a time of 10.16 seconds in the 100 metres.

The sprinter, who broke Leo Myles Mills’ national record of 9.97 seconds on March 26, 2021 in Texas to qualify for the Tokyo Summer Olympics, was unable to match his previous position in Birmingham, finishing seventh in the final.

Azamati, despite failing to reach the podium, ran 10.11 seconds to cap an impressive sprint campaign, becoming the only Ghanaian athlete to reach that point in the men’s 100-meter race.

Abdul-Rasheed Saminu, who finished third in the semi-final heat with a time of 10.06 seconds, was denied a spot in the men’s 100-meter final.

Cameroonian sprinter Emmanuel Eseme won the gold medal after clocking 9.83; Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy finished in 9.85 to be awarded the silver medal, and the bronze medal was won by Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi when he clocked 9.90.