Tag: African sportsmen in America

Education

Senegalese sports leaders visit University of Arkansas to learn about teaching youth sports

A group of 17 sports leaders from the West African nation of Senegal will visit the University of Arkansas for two weeks to learn an innovative method for teaching sports that integrates physical and mental health education.

The two-week workshop will run from April 15-28, and was developed by College of Education and Health Professions students in a class that combines the disciplines of recreation management, public health, and counselor education. The students have also been learning specifically about Senegal, in order to prepare the workshop.

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Sports

Kenya’s Cherono Wins Boston Marathon in Sprint to Tape

By Jimmy Golen

The two-time Boston Marathon champion turned onto Boylston Street with a sliver of a lead, leaning in front of two others with the finish line in sight.

But one of them was Lawrence Cherono, the fastest man in the field.

And he needed every bit of his speed.

Cherono outkicked Lelisa Desisa and passed him just steps away from the tape, winning the 123rd Boston Marathon in 2 hours, 7 minutes 57 seconds on Monday to claim his first major victory.

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Sports

Ghanaians celebrate Kofi Kingstons, WWE victory

Ghanaian-American wrestler Kofi Kingston made history at WWE’s biggest annual calendar event Wrestlemania 35 which took place at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday.

Squaring off against Daniel Bryan in a very feisty, entertaining and roller-coaster encounter, the veteran came up tops after finishing off Bryan with his signature Trouble in Paradise move to clinch the highly coveted WWE Championship.

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Sports

Efe Obada: The Nigerian NFL star abandoned on London’s streets at age of 10

By Tom Reynolds BBC Sport

“Apparently if you want to book it you have to say: ‘The Efe Obada room please.’ That’s really cool.

“If someone’s in there, I’ll just kick them out…”

Efe Obada is joking about the meeting room we are about to enter at the NFL’s UK headquarters in central London.

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People, Sports

‘The Greek Freak’ wants to go back to his Nigerian roots

Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo opens up about his African upbringing

By Marc J. Spears

“The Greek Freak” can’t wait to go learn more about his roots.

His roots in Lagos, Nigeria.

“Obviously, a lot of people don’t know where I’m from,” Milwaukee Bucks All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo told The Undefeated.

“A lot of people think my mom or my dad are from Greece, but no. Both of my parents are black. Both of my parents are Nigerian.”

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Sports

Barno of Kenya, Merachi of Ethiopia win Los Angeles Marathon

John Korir thought he was going to join his brother as a winner of the Los Angeles Marathon. But the Kenyan saw his chances of victory on Sunday pass him by within view of the finish line.

Elisha Barno of Kenya passed his countryman with 150 meters to go for the closest finish in the race’s 34-year history. Barno — who won the race for the second time in three years — crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 11 minutes, 46 seconds and beat Korir by seven seconds.

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News

Bill Clinton invites eight-year-old Nigerian chess champion, Tanitoluwa

Former US president, Bill Clinton, has invited eight-year-old Nigerian chess champion, Tanitoluwa Adewumi and his parents to his office in Harlem.

Quoting a tweet by media personality, Kyle Griffin, Clinton said, “Refugees enrich our nation and talent is universal, even if opportunity is not.” This story made me smile.

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News, People

8-Year-Old Homeless Nigerian Refugee is a Chess Champion in New York

By Nicholas Kristof

In a homeless shelter in Manhattan, an 8-year-old boy is walking to his room, carrying an awkward load in his arms, unfazed by screams from a troubled resident. The boy is a Nigerian refugee with an uncertain future, but he is beaming.

He can’t stop grinning because the awkward load is a huge trophy, almost as big as he is. This homeless third grader has just won his category at the New York State chess championship.

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People, Sports

The best player in the NBA is “Nigerian” but most Nigerians have no idea who he is

By Yomi Kazeem

Nigerian sports fans love nothing more than bragging rights. It’s why, beyond celebrating their national teams and athletes, they are also typically quick to “claim” (or “famz,” in local parlance) any sports star with even a hint of Nigerian heritage.

It’s why Anthony Joshua, the world heavyweight boxing champion, is a huge star in Nigeria with a major “Naija” brand TV campaign for a local mobile operator even though he competes for Britain. It’s not restricted to mainstream sports either: last week, when Kamaru Usman, a Nigerian-American notched a historic Ultimate Fighting Championship win, it was a trending topic in Nigerian social media circles.

But so far, there has been no similar levels of “Naija” affinity for basketball star Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of this year’s leading favorites for the NBA’s coveted Most Valuable Player award. Antetokounmpo, born in Greece to Nigerian immigrants, has been the driving force of a Milwaukee Bucks team that holds the league’s best record and has confounded critics.

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Sports

U.S. names five Kenyans in team for World Cross Country Championships

United States named up to five Kenyans in its team to Aarhus, Denmark as the battle for World Cross Country Championship medals heats up.

The USA cross country champion and Rio Olympics 10,000 meters’ champion Shadrack Kipchirchir is in a 28-person star-studded team that will take part in the event in Aarhus, Denmark.

The Kenyan born runner will be flanked by 2018 US cross-country champion Leonard Korir, Hillary Bor, Stanley Kebenei and Emmanuel Bor. The senior men’s team will have only one US-born athlete in the name of Mason Ferlic.

Three of the five Kenyan athletes serve in the US Army with Emmanuel Bor and Leonard Korir are Sergeants while Hillary Bor is a Staff Sergent.

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News, People

NBA Basketball Star, Andre Iguodala Joins Jumia Board of Directors

Leading e-commerce platform in Africa announces the addition of the NBA player and tech “ambassador” on its board.
Andre Iguodala, a member of the three-time reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors, has joined the Board of Directors of Jumia, the leading e-commerce platform in Africa.

As Jumia’s ambassador charged with promoting business development and technology in Africa, Iguodala will bring his network in the technology industry, interest in Africa and vast experience as an athlete on one of the most successful teams in NBA basketball history.

Andre Iguodala plays for the three-time reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors and is widely recognized for his interest and knowledge in technology and e-commerce. And as a member of the Board and a Jumia’s ambassador, he is charged with promoting business development and technology in Africa.

Andre Iguodala who has a strong Nigerian heritage hopes to use his success in basketball to improve life in Africa.

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Sports

Major League Soccer: African representation bolstered by new signings

By Mark Gleeson

When the new season of Major League Soccer kicks off at the weekend, all but three of the 24 teams in the north American league will have representation from Africa.

A total of 44 players are drawn from 19 different countries and do not include the players of African heritage who have gone on to play for either Canada or the United States at national team or junior level.

It is a significant representation for the continent whose numbers have been bolstered by several high profile signings.

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Sports

“Nigerian nightmare,” Kamaru Usman, becomes first African UFC champion

Kamaru Usman has become the first African fighter to win a Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) title.

He won the mixed-martial arts (MMA) bout against American Tyron Woodley.

The fighter, known as the “Nigerian Nightmare”, dominated the Las Vegas contest for the welterweight title.

The UFC is the biggest competition in MMA, where competitors combine boxing, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, wrestling and other disciplines while fighting in an octagonal cage.

Usman, 31, produced the performance of his career to dominate long-reigning welterweight champion Woodley.

He extended his winning streak to 14 and maintained his unbeaten record in the UFC.

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People

Lt. Jesse Iwuji, Nigerian-American Navy Officer and NASCAR driver to Make Las Vegas Speedway Debut

Las Vegas is known for their Air Force military presence – but this time there will be a new “wave” coming in town. U.S. Naval Academy graduate and U.S. Navy officer LT Jesse Iwuji will be making his first ever Las Vegas Motor Speedway start in the NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Series Race.

Iwuji will be the only current military member racing in NASCAR this weekend and will doing so with Reaume Bros Racing.

In all things Iwuji does, there are two constant elements: his love of country and his fighting spirit. He went from a D1A college football player to a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and is now claimed to be the only current driver in national level NASCAR who has ever been in the military.

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News, Sports

Ghanaian-American CJ Sapong joins MLS club Chicago Fire

The Chicago based club have announced the signing of the deadly goal poacher ahead of the new Major League Soccer season.

American-born of Ghanaian descent Charles ‘CJ’ Nana Kwabena Sapong has completed his move to MLS side Chicago Fire in the ongoing transfer window.

The 30-year-old has joined the Fire club for the 2019 season around a transfer fee of $200,000 with an option of renewal.He featured for Philadelphia Union last season where he netted four goals with three assists in 33 appearances.

“We also believe that he will increase our scoring capabilities. We’re looking forward to working with him this season.”

He was born to Ghanaian parents in USA.