Ghana’s 100m national record holder Abdul-Rasheed Saminu has turned professional after signing a sponsorship deal with sportswear giant ASICS.

The 28-year-old, who is the second-fastest man in NCAA 100m history, graduated from the University of South Florida last year and will begin the 2026 season as a full-time professional athlete.

Saminu set a new Ghanaian national record of 9.84 seconds in the men’s 100m last year, making him the third-fastest African sprinter in history.

He was also part of Ghana’s historic men’s 4x100m relay team that clocked a national record of 37.79 seconds at the World Athletics Championships.

As part of the deal, Saminu will continue working with his college coach, Abigi Id-Deen, as he transitions into the professional ranks.