Ghana’s 16-year-old para-athlete Gilbert Ampiah earned a bronze medal in the High Jump T44 category at the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan International Para Athletics Meeting in Marrakech, Morocco.
Competing in his debut international event, the St. Augustine’s College student cleared 1.73 meters to claim third place, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.
Ampiah’s performance in Marrakech builds on a series of personal bests, including a 1.60-meter jump at Ekumfi Atwa in 2023, where he outperformed able-bodied athletes. He later achieved 1.82 meters during his school’s inter-house competition and set his current personal best of 1.86 meters at a recent national event. His participation in the Marrakech event followed an official classification process from April 21 to 23, a mandatory step for para-athletes to ensure compliance with competition standards.
The achievement underscores Ghana’s expanding footprint in international para-athletics, with Ampiah emerging as a promising contender for future competitions. The Marrakech meeting also serves as a qualifier for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and 2028 Paralympic Games, offering him a platform to advance his career.
Ampiah’s success highlights the growing recognition of para-sports in Ghana, where athletes are increasingly gaining access to global stages. His journey reflects broader efforts to nurture talent in underrepresented disciplines, aligning with global trends toward inclusivity in athletics. As Ghana continues to invest in para-sports infrastructure, athletes like Ampiah could inspire greater participation and shift perceptions about disability and athletic potential. The Marrakech podium not only celebrates individual perseverance but also signals progress in diversifying the nation’s sporting achievements beyond traditional domains.
