Amponsah sets sight on Olympics qualification
National 5,000 and 10,000 metres record holder, William Amponsah, has been named the NCAA Men's Cross Country Athlete of the Year for the second time in a row for his incredible exploits at West Texas A&M.
But the 25-year-old is hoping that it provides the springboard to his Olympics dream as his blistering season in US College Athletics earned another significant recognition after receiving the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Doug Watts Award as the 2024 Division II Men's Cross Country Athlete of the Year.
The former Swedru Business School and University of Education, Winneba, student received the USTFCCCA honour after winning both 5000m and 10,000m races at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships at the CSU Pueblo ThunderBowl in Pueblo, Colorado, May 22-24.
Amponsah's impressive year has already seen him break the 10,000m national, as well as the NCAA DII record in a time of 27:47.93 at the Bryan Clay Invitational in April, and also won the 5000m and 10,000m double at the Lone Star Outdoor Championships in New Mexico, May 1-3.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Graphic from his US base yesterday, Amponsah indicated that his training would be focused on 5,000m, 10,000m and half-marathon, with eyes firmly set on Los Angeles 2028.
Inspiration
"This award means so much to me, every new record inspires me to work harder, which results in more progress. So these awards and records mean a lot to me," Amponsah said via phone.
"It's the dream of every athlete to compete at the Olympic Games, it's actually my inspiration. I want to be at the Olympics, not just to compete but to leave a legacy. I have been putting in a lot of work over the years and in 2028 I think I am very close to representing Ghana at the Olympics," he said
"I'm the only long-distance runner from Ghana and West Africa competing at the highest level and I pray other potential runners are inspired to join me soon so we make West Africa proud," he added.
