Celebrating the 2024 Campaign: August’s Triumphs and Milestones

As part of our Celebrating 2024 Campaign, August was a month of remarkable achievements and significant milestones. From the thrilling conclusion of the Paris 2024 Olympics to exciting developments in global competitions, this month was a testament to the excellence of African athletes and the growth of our community. Let’s dive into the highlights of this momentous month.

Olympic Successes: Africa’s Unforgettable Paris 2024

The Paris 2024 Olympics proved to be a historic moment for African athletes, who secured an incredible 39 medals across various disciplines. These medals celebrated both longstanding athletic traditions and new records for the continent, setting the stage for a promising future.

Kenya led the African medal count with 11 medals. Dominating the track events, Faith Kipyegon became the first woman to secure three consecutive Olympic golds in the 1,500m, breaking her own record in the process. Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet shone in her Olympic debut, winning both the 5,000m and 10,000m events.

Botswana celebrated its first Olympic gold in the men’s 200m, with Letsile Tebogo setting an African record of 19.46 seconds. Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei captured gold in the 10,000m with a record-breaking time of 26:43.14, cementing his legacy as Uganda’s most decorated Olympian. In gymnastics, Kaylia Nemour of Algeria claimed her country’s first gold on the uneven bars.

In fencing, Tunisia’s Fares Ferjani earned silver, while Egypt’s Mohamed Elsayed took home bronze. African athletes also showcased dominance in other sports, with Egypt’s Ahmed Elgendy setting a new world record in Modern Pentathlon and Tunisia’s Firas Katoussi winning gold in Taekwondo. These successes underscored the continent’s strength in emerging Olympic sports.

Silver medal performances were equally inspiring, with Ronald Kwemoi of Kenya claiming silver in the men’s 5,000m, and South Africa’s Akani Simbine anchoring the 4x100m relay team to a new African record and the country’s first Olympic medal in the event. Tunisia’s Peruth Chemutai added to her Tokyo 2020 gold with a silver in the 3,000m steeplechase, and Botswana’s 4x400m relay team also claimed silver, demonstrating the nation’s rising athletic talent.

African bronze medals highlighted the diversity of talent across multiple sports, with Kenya earning five, including Mary Moraa’s bronze in the 800m and Faith Cherotich’s in the 3,000m steeplechase. South Africa added bronze in Rugby 7s and MTB cross country, Egypt’s Mohamed El Sayed earned bronze in fencing, and Ivory Coast’s Cheick Sallah Cissé won bronze in Taekwondo. Cameroon’s Cindy Ngamba won the first Olympic medal for the Refugee Team in women’s boxing, adding a historic achievement to this year’s Games.

Paralympic Success: Record-Breaking Performances

The 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris saw African athletes achieve new heights, showcasing both resilience and skill. More than 4,400 athletes from 168 countries competed, and African athletes achieved historic success across several disciplines, bringing home both medals and world records.

Morocco topped Africa’s medal tally with 15 medals. The standout moment came from Fatima Ezzahra El Idrissi, who broke the world record in the women’s marathon (T12 category) on the final day of competition. Other Moroccan golds were won by Mouncef Bouja in the 400m (T12) and Aymane El Haddaoui in the 400m (T47), while Azzedine Nouiri and Zakariae Derhem claimed medals in the shot put.

Algeria and Tunisia tied for second place among African nations, each bringing home 11 medals. Algeria’s Skander Athmani won two golds in the 100m and 400m (T13), while Nassima Saifi took gold in the discus throw (F57), and Abdelkader Bouamer won gold in para-judo. Tunisia’s Raoua Tlili continued her dominance in the shot put and discus throw (F41), earning two golds, while Maroua Ibrahmi won gold in the club throw (F32). These achievements underscored the strength of North African athletes on the global Paralympic stage.

Nigeria and Egypt also excelled, each winning seven medals, with notable performances in powerlifting. Nigeria’s Folashade Oluwafemiayo broke her own world record in para-powerlifting, taking gold alongside Onyinyechi Mark. For Egypt, Mohamed Elmenyawy and Rehab Ahmed claimed gold in powerlifting, while the Egyptian sitting volleyball team won bronze.

South Africa also stood out with six medals, including two new world records set by Mpumelelo Mhlongo in the long jump and 200m (T44). South Africa’s Simone Kruger added to the medal tally with a gold in the discus throw (F38). South African athletes Donald Ramphadi and Lucas Sithole made history, securing Africa’s first-ever Paralympic medal in wheelchair tennis.

Ethiopia, Namibia, Kenya, and Mauritius also contributed to Africa’s medal tally. Ethiopia’s Yayesh Tesfaw broke a world record in the 1,500m (T11), marking a significant improvement from the Tokyo Games. Namibia’s Lahja Ishitile won gold in the 400m (T11), and Kenya’s Samson Opiyo won bronze in long jump. Mauritius celebrated its first-ever Paralympic medal with Yovanni Philippe winning bronze in the 400m (T20). The 2024 Paralympic Games reinforced the continent’s strength, resilience, and diversity in sports.

Other Events: African Triumphs Across the Globe

Beyond the Olympics and Paralympics, August was filled with impressive performances by African athletes in global tournaments and prestigious competitions, from high-stakes UFC showdowns to victories in the Diamond League series and historic wins in rugby.

UFC 305: An All-African Middleweight Title Bout

On August 17, UFC 305 brought a historic all-African showdown at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. In the main event, South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis squared off against Nigeria’s Israel Adesanya for the middleweight championship, marking a milestone as two African fighters competed for the title. The bout was intense, with both fighters showcasing their elite skill sets. Du Plessis gained the upper hand in the fourth round, landing a powerful left hook and following it up with a series of strikes. He then executed a well-timed takedown and secured a rear-naked choke, prompting Adesanya to tap out at 3:38 of the fourth round. This win marked Du Plessis’s first successful title defense and underscored Africa’s growing influence in the world of mixed martial arts.

Diamond League Victories: African Dominance on the Track

August’s Diamond League events were a showcase of African talent, with athletes delivering thrilling performances across multiple meets:

• Lausanne Diamond League: Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo returned to action with a stunning performance in the 200m, clocking an impressive 19.64 seconds on Lausanne’s unique broad track. Ethiopia’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi stole the show with a world-leading time of 1:41.11 in the men’s 800m, setting a new Diamond League record. The women’s 3000m saw Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji win with a personal best, while Kenya’s Mary Moraa took gold in the 800m, solidifying Africa’s dominance in middle- and long-distance events.
• Silesia Diamond League: In Poland, Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo continued his winning streak in the 200m, remaining unbeaten since his gold-medal victory at the Olympics. His consistent success underscores his standing as one of Africa’s fastest rising sprinters.
• Rome Diamond League: African athletes took multiple golds at the Rome Diamond League meet. Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo triumphed in the 200m again, joined by Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga who won the 400m and Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, who dominated in the 1,500m. Ethiopia’s Hagos Gebrhiwet took gold in the 5,000m. Ugandan athlete Peruth Chemutai claimed silver in the 3000m steeplechase, while Ethiopian runners like Hailu and Kejelcha secured silver in the 1500m and 5000m.

The Diamond League events highlighted the extraordinary depth of African track and field talent, as athletes not only secured multiple podium finishes but also consistently set new personal and world-leading records.

Rugby Championship: South Africa Returns to Glory

August also saw South Africa reclaim the Rugby Championship title for the first time since 2019, a monumental achievement that solidified their position as a powerhouse in international rugby. The Springboks topped the log throughout the championship, taking decisive wins against formidable opponents to secure their place at the summit. Their strong performance in August sets the stage for South Africa as they prepare for the upcoming Rugby World Cup, adding confidence and momentum to their campaign.

South Africa’s victories in rugby are a testament to the team’s resilience, tactical prowess, and the depth of talent within African rugby. With the World Cup on the horizon, the Springboks have shown they are prepared to challenge for the title and represent Africa on the global stage.

Athlete Profile Growth: Connecting More Fans with Their Heroes

August was a record month for our platform’s athlete profile expansion. 197 new profiles were imported, bringing the total number of profiles to 3,272. These new additions enable fans to stay updated on their favorite African athletes, follow their journeys, and celebrate their achievements. This growth reflects the increasing excitement around African sports and our commitment to connecting athletes and fans across the continent.

Next Up: September’s Highlights in the Celebrating 2024 Campaign

August has been unforgettable, with triumphs that spanned from the Olympic and Paralympic stages to global arenas like the Diamond League and UFC. But the journey doesn’t end here! Join us next month as we explore the highlights from September, featuring more incredible achievements and updates on African athletic successes. The Celebrating 2024 Campaign continues to honor the best in African athletics and beyond, and we’re excited to bring you the next chapter in this extraordinary year of achievements.

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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.