'Golden' Grace secures Ghana’s first gold at World Armwrestling Championship

Policewoman Grace Minta has made history by clinching the gold medal in the women’s 80 kilogramme (kg)category at the 2024 World Armwrestling Championship in Moldova.

In a thrilling finale, the packed arena erupted in cheers as Minta, representing the “Africa for Africa” team, triumphed over competitors from Sweden, Ukraine, Germany, Turkey, and other nations in a nail-biting match that went into overtime.

Minta, who becomes the first Ghanaian to win a world championship medal after securing gold in the Master Women 80kg left-arm contest, had a remarkable journey to the top. Her first global experience came at the 2023 World Combat Games in Saudi Arabia. A police officer by profession, she has dominated African armwrestling since 2019, winning the African Championship back-to-back and recently earning double gold at the 2023 African Games.

As the Ghanaian national anthem played, Minta stood proudly on the podium, her gold medal draped around her neck. With tears of joy streaming down her face, she hugged her teammates, basking in the adoration of the crowd.

“This is a dream come true!” Minta exclaimed in a post-match interview. “I’m so grateful to my President, Mr. Charles Osei Asibey, my family, coaches, the Ghana Police Service, and the Ghana Armwrestling Federation for their unwavering support. This gold medal is not just for me but for my country and the entire African armwrestling community!”

Minta's historic victory marks Ghana’s first-ever World Armwrestling Championship gold medal, sending waves of excitement through the sporting world.

Grace Minta and the team are set to return home on Sunday as national heroes, inspiring a new generation of armwrestlers to follow in her footsteps.