The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Iddie Adams, was thrilled by the high-performance battles during the Independence Armwrestling Challenge, held at the Center Point Mall in Accra.

Spectators witnessed incredible performances from top armwrestling athletes representing Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, and Togo.

The event, organised by the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), was held to celebrate Ghana’s Independence and commemorate the historic achievement of armwrestling at the 2023 African Games, where the sport secured 41 medals for Ghana.

In the female +80kg category, Ghana’s Grace Minta delivered a spectacular performance, defeating opponents from Nigeria, Benin, and Togo to win the gold medal. Her compatriots, Florence Boakye and Afia Kumah, clinched the silver and bronze medals respectively, completing a clean sweep for Ghana in the female +80kg division.

In the male category, African Games medalist Wisdom Abromekeyi dominated the competition, clearing all opponents to take home the gold medal in the 65kg category, beating Daniel Acquah and Benin’s Amoono Stephen in the process.

Meanwhile, Ghana’s rising star, Joshua Yeboah from Chicken Wing Club, sensationally dominated the men’s 90kg category with ease. Yeboah, touted as the new face of Ghanaian armwrestling, outclassed experienced champions and pullers from Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, and Benin to secure the gold medal—firmly announcing his arrival on the big stage.

Several dignitaries graced the event, including the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Adams; GAF Vice President, Dr. Kofi Addo Agyekum; Hon. Joseph Cudjoe, former Minister for State Enterprises; and Hon. Dickson Kyere Duah, MP for Berekum West.

Also present were the Chief Director of the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, Mr. William Katey; GAF Board members including Mr. Godfrey Amarteifio and Mr. Robert Appiah Ameyaw; along with the Armwrestling Presidents of Benin, Togo, and Nigeria.

Representing the Center Point Mall was Dr. Bitigu Bello, while the Greater Accra Regional Minister’s Representative, Richard Akpokavie Esq. from the Ghana Olympic Committee, Mr. Kwabena Adisi (Bola Ray) of EIB Network, and Mr. Santok of GHOne TV also attended. Other National Federation Presidents present included Mr. Ernest Danso (Baseball and Softball), Shaban Mohammed (Ghana Cycling), and George Owusu Ansah (Sports for All).

The President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation, Africa Armwrestling, and Vice President of the World Armwrestling Federation, Charles Osei Asibey, expressed his delight at the event’s success.

"I am thrilled to see the growth of armwrestling in Ghana and Africa as a whole. This event is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our athletes, coaches, and officials," he said.

President Osei Asibey commended the Ghana Armwrestling Federation and its partners for organising a world-class event. "I am proud of the GAF’s backroom team for hosting such a successful event, bringing together top athletes from Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, and Togo," he added.

See the full results below:

65kg (Women)
Gold – Marie Rose (Benin)
Silver – Adefunke Adeniforo (Nigeria)
Bronze – Mabel Yeboah (Ghana)

65kg (Men)
Gold – Wisdom Abromekyi (Ghana)
Silver – Daniel Acquah (Ghana)
Bronze – Amoono Stephen (Benin)

80+kg (Women)
Gold – Grace Mintah (Ghana)
Silver – Florence Boakye Mensah (Ghana)
Bronze – Efia Kumah (Ghana)

90kg (Men)
Gold – Joshua Yeboah (Ghana)
Silver – Abdul Razak (Togo)
Bronze – Emmanuel Tuesday (Nigeria)

90+kg (Men)
Gold – Mohammed Ismael (Togo)
Silver – Obilom Chikueze Steven (Nigeria)
Bronze – Atindana Adams (Ghana)

The Independence Armwrestling Challenge formed part of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation’s efforts to promote the sport and identify new talent. The event was attended by officials from the Ghana Olympic Committee, the National Sports Authority, and other key stakeholders in the sports industry.

The Ghana Armwrestling Federation expressed its gratitude to the organisers, sponsors, and participants who contributed to the event’s success. The federation reaffirmed its commitment to developing the sport and producing world-class athletes capable of competing on the international stage.

The next major event on the calendar is the Kids Armwrestling Championship, which is expected to attract thousands of children and encourage youth participation in the sport.