Akwasi Frimpong becomes first Ghanaian to qualify for World Championships in skeleton

Akwasi Frimpong of Ghana has met the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) qualification requirements for the World Championships skeleton event, which will be hosted in Königsee, Germany from Feb. 21-26, 2017. 

New to the sport, Frimpong has been having a great start this season, and is currently ranked 103 out of 153 sliders in the world. With less than a year’s experience on a sled, he is solidly competing with athletes who have three to 10 years’ experience.

Frimpong’s ultimate goal is to represent Ghana in the skeleton event for the first time at the 2022 Winter Olympics. He’s began his journey by writing history as Ghana’s very first athlete to qualify for the IBSF World Championships.

In just a few short months, Frimpong has raced on major North American ice tracks — Calgary, Whistler, Lake Placid and Park City. According to the sliding coaches that have worked with Frimpong so far, Frimpong is an advanced learner, coachable and a potential for the 2022 Winter Olympics Games. But just like any successful skeleton athlete, Frimpong will need to learn how to drive a skeleton, which usually takes anywhere from four to six years.

Frimpong has long had the dream of competing in the Olympics, and competing in the 2017 World Championships will put Ghana, and him, one step closer to his goal.

Frimpong started unsponsored and without any resources. He sells Kirby vacuums door to door to finance the Bobsled and Skeleton Federation Ghana (BSF-Ghana), and to travel internationally for competitions. BSF-Ghana is an associated member of the International IBSF, dedicated to building Ghanaian bobsleigh and skeleton talent.

Frimpong funded the first half of his training season – to the tune of $26,000 — completely out of his own pocket. At this point, though, training has ramped up. He now competes weekly in different countries around the world, so he is unable to generate personal funding to finish out the season.

Frimpong is looking for local or national sponsors, big or small, willing to help him represent Ghana at the February World Championship event in Germany. Training will start on February 6, 2017. His estimated costs are as follows:

Flights:$1200

Lodging: $850

Food: $630

Sledding Fees and Supplies: $500

Transportation: $900

To be a part of his journey, and support Frimpong, visit his website, www.akwasifrimpong.com. Donations can also be made via www.bsfghana.com.