Ohenewa Akuffo – Wrestling for the Gold
Ohenewa Akuffo is a wrestler representing Canada and vying for the gold in the Olympics. Born in York, Canada, and raised for three years in Toronto, she later moved to Ghana. She returned to Canada where she started wrestling in high school. She became the youngest-ever member of the Canadian senior team and won her first national title in 1997.
She has consequently won a silver medal in the Pan-Am games in 2003 and 2007, the 2005 World University Games, the 2006 Canada Cup. A true athlete, she is also a former judoka who won the 1997 Junior National Championships. » Read more…
Kenya and Ethiopia leading in medals among African Countries
Kenya and Ethiopia are vying for the position of country with the most Olympic medals from Africa. So far Kenya has won gold medals in the men’s 3000m steeplechase and women’s 800m (Pamel Jelimo), three Silver medals in women’s 800m (Janeth Jepkosgei), women’s marathon, and women’s 3000m steeplechase, and bronze medal wins in the men’s 10,000m and men’s 3000m steeplechase (Brimin Kiprop Kipruto).
Ethiopia has a gold medal in both the men’s and women’s 10,000m and a silver in the men’s 10,000m. They will compete against each other in the men’s and women’s 5,000m.
Olympic Round-Up
Swimmer Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe won her first medal of the Olympics in the women’s 400 meter individual medley and went under the previous world record mark of 4:31.12, set by American Katie Hoff at the U.S. Olympic trials. But Coventry’s time of 4:29.89 was only good enough for a silver medal, as Stephanie Rice of Australia won the gold in a new world record time of 4 minutes, 29.45 seconds.
Mixed Fortunes As Hunt Begins
George Mandjeck came off the bench to score a late goal and secure a 1-1 draw against South Korea in Cameroon’s opening game of the Beijing Olympics. Both teams created numerous scoring opportunites in a physical game on a hot and humid night in Qinhuangdao.
Former Sudanese Refugee to Carry American Flag
When he was 6 years old, Lopez Lomong ran for his life in Sudan. Now, he is running for Olympic glory. Now he’ll be carrying the flag for his adopted nation, leading the U.S. Olympic team at the opening ceremonies Friday night.
Super Falcons Lose Olympic Opener
Kim Kyong Hwa scored a first-half goal Wednesday as North Korea beat Nigeria 1-0 to lead Group F of the women’s Olympic football tournament. The victory puts North Korea top of the group after title contenders Germany and Brazil drew 0-0 in the first match of the day at Shenyang Olympic Stadium.
Team Zimbabwe Unveiled
The Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) finally put weeks of speculation to rest by announcing a 13 member squad for the Beijing Olympics in China next month.”Team Zimbabwe” was unveiled at a function in Harare on Friday night. As expected, champion swimmer Kirsty Coventry — who scooped three medals at the 2004 Games in Athens, Greece — will once again spearhead the country’s medal hunt.
Team Nigeria Take Only Three Doctors Far East
No one expects Nigeria to win any medals at next month’s olympic games–save for Dream Team’s IV much touted ability to mount the podium in football. But here’s the bombshell: Team Nigeria will take only three doctors–in addition to the two attached to the men and women soccer teams–but more than 30 bureaucrats are currently clamoring for a space in the Nigerian contingent.
Ethiopia Names Olympics Track Team
On Monday one of Africa’s hopes for a large medal haul in the track events named its Olympics-bound squad. Ethiopia named a strong track team for the Beijing Olympics with world champions Kenenisa Bekele and Tirunesh Dibaba doubling up in the 5,000 and 10,000 metres races. The other significant development is the inclusion of multiple world record holder Haile Gebrselassie in the 10,000m.
South African Double-Amputee Makes History
The next time I hear myself whining about how hard my life is or how insurmountable my obstacles are, I’m going to think about South African runner Oscar Pistorius and tell myself to shut up! Known as the “fastest thing on no legs” Mr. Pistorius is a double amputee whose strength, determination and sheer athleticism on the track field have shattered notions about the limitations placed on disabled athletes. The Paralympic world record holder for the 100, 200 and 400 meters sprints, he competed against able-bodies runners at the 2007 South African National Championships and took the silver medal in the 400 meters. Mr. Pistorius has now made legal history by suing for, and winning, the right to compete to represent South Africa at the Beijing Olympics. » Read more…
African Events Calendar
Upcoming Events
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July 14 - 17, 2010
Africa Fashion Week New York (AFWNY) in New York
USA - North East
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March 20, 2010
FACE Africa 1st Annual Gala
USA - North East
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March 11 -15, 2010
Sixth Annual New African Films Festival
USA - North East
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April 10, 2010
RUNWAY LIBERIA: Silver Spring,MD
USA - North East
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