Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Akwasi Frimpong, living in Utah, qualifies for his fifth World Championships, becoming the first African to do so in a sliding sport.
- Frimpong, known as the "Hope of a Billion," aims to inspire African athletes in winter sports.
- He continues training at Utah Olympic Park, striving for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.
SALT LAKE CITY — It is amazing how much training it takes to go just a little faster.
Akwasi Frimpong has traded years for seconds.
"I'm doing better than I did a couple of years ago. Perfect practice makes perfect. You just got to keep going and get better," said Frimpong, 39.
Frimpong is already an elite skeleton athlete
Living in Utah, Frimpong is already one of the top skeleton athletes in the world.
He represented Ghana in the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics and aims to compete in one more Olympic Games after missing out on Beijing 2022.
"After 2022, to be honest, I was really ready to throw in the towel. So many people were like, 'Oh my goodness, this guy just keeps going. How can you do that?' There was definitely that moment when I was done and really figuring out what I want to do next," Frimpong admitted.
However, after his film "Black Ice" came out, which documents his journey, Frimpong decided to give his Olympic dream one more go.
'Hope of a Billion' pushes forward for kids
Known as the "Hope of a Billion," Frimpong embraces his role as a trailblazer for African athletes in winter sports.
He continues to push forward for the kids who look up to him.
"It means a lot. It shows that regardless of your background, wherever you come from, whatever your situation is, anything is possible, and that's really the message," he said.
Earlier this month, Frimpong qualified for his fifth World Championships, making history as the first African to achieve this milestone in a sliding sport.
"It's an honor, and it's definitely a little bit of an ego booster that I can still do it at this age," he joked.
Fast, yes, but Frimpong needs to get faster still
Frimpong knows he needs to get faster to qualify for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.
Training at Utah Olympic Park, he feels he's getting closer to his goal.
"Big time. I have definitely been getting a lot of support from Utah. They have treated me like their own and it is a really special place for me and my family," he said. "They really embraced me to be a part of this community."
Frimpong believes he couldn't have found a better city to live in than Salt Lake City, with its strong Olympic legacy.
While he jokes about being too old to compete in the 2034 Salt Lake City Games, there is no doubt he will continue to inspire those chasing their Olympic dreams.
