Celebrating Africa’s Top Hurdlers: Champions of Stamina, Speed, and Willpower

Welcome to the Podium Pursuit Athlete Showcase series, where we shine a spotlight on the remarkable talent of African athletes who are making their mark on the world stage. From the tracks to the fields, and everywhere in between, these athletes are not just competitors, but ambassadors of their nations, embodying the spirit of determination, resilience, and excellence. Join us as we celebrate their achievements, delve into their journeys, and explore the inspiring stories behind their pursuit of podium glory.

This week, our focus shifts to the hurdles category, where we feature the top three men and women on the African Sport Ventures Group’s Afroan Rankings. In this realm of athleticism, where stamina, speed, and sheer willpower converge, these elite athletes have captivated the world with their remarkable performances. From intense races to breathtaking finishes, they embody excellence, inspiring future generations with their relentless pursuit of greatness. Join us as we delve into the achievements and stories of these top-ranked hurdlers who continue to redefine the limits of human potential on the global stage.

Men’s Hurdles Rankings

Louis François Mendy

Taking the number one spot on the rankings is Louis François Mendy, a Senegalese track and field athlete born on March 2, 1999.

Mendy specializes in the 110 meters hurdles and also competes as a sprinter. His athletic journey includes a bronze medal win at the 2019 African Games in the 110 meters hurdles after an impressive performance in the semifinals.

Four years later, he clinched gold, cementing his status as a top-tier hurdler. Mendy’s talent earned him an Olympic Scholarship, leading to his selection to participate in the 2020 Summer Games on a universality place.

Antonio Alkana

Antonio Alkana holds the second spot on the African rankings. Born on April 12, 1990, Alkana is a South African hurdler who has showcased his skills on the global stage.

He competed in the 110 meters hurdles event at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, narrowly missing the semifinals. Alkana won gold at the 2015 African Games and represented his country in the 2020 Summer Olympics.

His personal best of 13.11 seconds in the 110 meters hurdles, set in Prague in 2017, is the African record. Additionally, he boasts a time of 7.76 seconds in the 60 meters hurdles.

Amine Bouanani

Amine Bouanani, born on October 17, 1997, is an Algerian track and field athlete who also specializes in the 110 meters hurdles and competes as a sprinter.

At the 2019 African Games, Bouanani’s remarkable performance earned him a gold medal with his personal best time in the 110 meters hurdles, highlighting his place among Africa’s elite hurdlers.

Women’s Hurdles Rankings

Tobi Amusan

Topping the women’s 100 meters hurdles category is Tobi Amusan, a Nigerian track and field athlete born on April 23, 1997.

Amusan is the current world record holder in the 100 meters hurdles with a time of 12.12 seconds, set at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

She is the reigning Commonwealth and African champion in the 100 meters hurdles, as well as the meet record holder in both competitions.

Amusan became the first Nigerian world champion and world record holder in an athletics event when she won the 2022 World Championships gold medal, breaking her own world record in the process.

She has also won back-to-back Commonwealth and African titles in 2018 and 2022, and is a two-time African Games champion in the event.

Amusan is the current Diamond League champion in the 100 meters hurdles, with victories in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Marione Fourie

Securing the second spot on the rankings is Marione Fourie, born on April 30, 2002.

This South African athlete is the national record holder and a multiple-time national champion in the high hurdles.

Fourie won her first South African national championship in the 100 meters hurdles in 2021 and repeated the feat in 2022. She also won the bronze medal at the 2022 African Championships and became the third South African woman to run below 13 seconds in the event.

In July 2023, Fourie set a new national record with a personal best of 12.55 seconds. She reached the semi-finals at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest and was named the South Africa Female Athlete of the Year.

In April 2024, she won her fourth consecutive national title over 100 meters hurdles.

Ebony Leea Morrison

Ebony Leea Morrison, born on December 28, 1994, takes the third spot on the African rankings.

Representing Liberia, Morrison resides in the United States and competed in the women’s 100 meters hurdles at the 2020 Summer Olympics, reaching the semifinals with a time of 12.74 seconds. She was one of three competitors representing Liberia at the Tokyo Olympics, showcasing her talent on an international platform.

These athletes not only represent the pinnacle of hurdling in Africa but also serve as inspirations for aspiring athletes worldwide. Their dedication, skill, and determination highlight the incredible potential within African athletics, promising even greater achievements in the future.

Brought to you by

PROTOUCH AFRICA is a purpose-led and Sports Tech business founded in 2016 with a focus on enabling African Athletes to perform on the World Stage.

It is pioneering new ways for fans to interact and engage with their favourite teams, leagues, and athletes and enable alternative revenue streams.

ProTouch Africa’s Podium Pursuit Project is focused on creating a transparent and sustainable funding mechanism for the next generation of African Athletes. Its vision is to launch the World’s first fan-owned impact investment platform for African Athletes in 2024 by assembling an ecosystem of top-performing athletes, their fans, and the brands that support them.