Ghana’s finest arm pullers battled through a gruelling one-day national justifier in Accra on Saturday, each vying for a coveted spot on the “Golden Arms” squad that will chase continental supremacy next month.
The Ghana Armwrestling Federation organised the selection event to whittle down hundreds of hopefuls from across the country’s regions into a razor-sharp team for the 15th Africa Armwrestling Championship, set for May 1-2, 2026. Ghana already commands respect as the dominant force in African armwrestling, and the federation left nothing to chance — deploying its top technical staff to evaluate every competitor on technique, stamina, and sheer strength.
Athletes fought for places across multiple weight classes spanning junior, senior, and master divisions for both men and women. GAF Technical Director Husseini Akutteh Addy led a panel of national coaches who scrutinised each bout, filtering out all but the most championship-ready pullers. Federation President Charles Osei Asibey, who also serves as Vice President of the World Armwrestling Federation, observed that the standard of competition had risen markedly since Ghana last hosted the continental championship. The depth of talent on display, he indicated, reflects the sport’s rapid growth within the country.
Ghana Olympic Committee President Richard Akpokavie attended the justifier and threw his organisation’s full weight behind the athletes. “The Ghana Armwrestling Federation continues to prove that with the right leadership and discipline, ‘lesser-known’ sports can achieve world-class status. We at the GOC are fully behind these athletes,” he said. He added: “Their dedication is a reflection of the Ghanaian spirit, and we are confident that the team selected here today will not only compete but dominate the African stage once again.”
The endorsement from the country’s highest Olympic body signals growing institutional recognition for a sport that has quietly built Ghana into a continental giant. With the roster now taking shape, selected athletes will report to an intensive residential training camp designed to sharpen their form and build team cohesion before they travel for the championship. The federation has also issued a direct appeal to corporate Ghana, urging businesses to bankroll the squad’s preparations and ensure the team arrives at the tournament fully resourced.
The target is unambiguous — top the medal table and tighten Ghana’s grip on the number-one ranking in African armwrestling. For the athletes who survived Saturday’s justifier, the real test begins now: translating national promise into continental gold when the continent’s strongest arms converge in less than three weeks.
Source: Ghana News Agency
