Hafsatu Kamara, Sierra Leone's fastest woman, is set to represent her country at the Rio Summer Olympics. She made history in May 2015 by setting a new national record for the 100m at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California, clocking in at 11.78 seconds. This achievement surpassed the previous record of 11.87 seconds held by Fatmata Bangura. Kamara's journey to the Olympics is a testament to her dedication and perseverance as an athlete.
Kamara's athletic career began in Sierra Leone during the 1990s, and she later explored various sports in the US. Her potential in track and field was realised during her senior year at Nottingham High School in New Jersey. In 2013, she won the 100m Grand Prix at the West African Region II meet in Burkina Faso, representing Sierra Leone. This early success has continued to motivate her as she prepares for the Olympics.
Kamara cites Muhammad Ali, Evelyn Ashford, and Serena Williams as her inspirations, admiring their ability to make a difference in the world. She also credits her immigrant parents for their sacrifices, hoping to pave the way for future generations. With a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology Exercise Science, Kamara is working towards a Clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy, balancing her athletic career with academic pursuits.
In addition to her athletic and academic commitments, Kamara enjoys learning Arabic and coaches young athletes in track and field. Her music tastes lean towards reggae and dancehall, with artists like Popcaan and Drake featuring on her playlist. Kamara's diverse interests and passions reflect her well-rounded personality and dedication to personal growth.
Recently returning from the African Championships in South Africa, Kamara faced challenges, including the inability to compete in the Women’s 4×100 relay due to a lack of athletes. Despite these hurdles, her teammate Aisha Naive-Wey reached the finals of the 400m hurdles. Kamara acknowledges her connection with Sierra Leone’s athletics officials, albeit limited by communication challenges.
Kamara believes the disparity in support for athletics compared to football lies in the amateur nature of the sport, which struggles for recognition and funding. To elevate athletics in Sierra Leone, she emphasises the need for community support and involvement, urging families and businesses to rally behind young athletes. This grassroots approach is crucial to developing a sustainable sports culture in the country.
Looking ahead, Kamara’s goals include breaking her own records and increasing participation in athletics, ultimately helping to foster a broader sports culture beyond football in Sierra Leone. She hopes to establish a youth athletics programme in Sierra Leone, facilitating training camps to develop local talent and sports in the country. With her sights set on the Olympics, Kamara is poised to make a lasting impact on Sierra Leonean athletics.
Key points
- Hafsatu Kamara sets new national record for 100m in 11.78 seconds.
