Ghana’s Abdul-Rasheed Saminu has set sights on 100m final after qualifying for the semi-finals of the men’s 100m at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

Speaking to JoySports after his second-place finish in Heat 7, the young sprinter stressed that his focus goes beyond reaching the semi-final.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to be here. We’ve been having a long season since the NCAA. I just made up my mind to come here and do my best, make my family and my country proud so [reaching the semi-final] is not a big deal, I just want to make the final,” he said.

Saminu credited his race management in the NCAA season for keeping him sharp.

“Not running too many races at the NCAA kept me in shape because I was resting a little bit so it’s not a big deal for me. We already have the goal down for the season,” he explained.

Reflecting on the heat, he admitted to some nerves at the start.

“I was a little bit nervous from the blocks because you’re running against tough athletes and they’ve been running fast all year. So running against them, you’ve got to make your mind that you have got to go all out, so that’s how I did it and I got up,” he said.

The Ghanaian also revealed he was adjusting to new equipment on the track. “This is new spikes, Asics, so I am getting used to it,” he noted.

Despite the pressure of competing against elite sprinters, Saminu said confidence was key.

“It’s about being confident. I like being confident. Today the pressure was on me because the last continental tour, I beat [Akani] Simbine so now I was the target, so there was so much pressure on me, but I got it over the line and advanced to the semi-finals,” he stated.

Looking ahead, Saminu outlined his goal with conviction.

“I just have to make my mind and go out there and do my best and do what my coach told me to do. I am going inside, kill it, and make sure I make it to the final, Insha Allah. That’s the main goal,” he declared.

The semi-finals of the men’s 100m take place on Sunday, with Saminu carrying Ghana’s hopes in the sprint event after Benjamin Azamati bowed out in the heats.