Ghana’s women’s high jump national record holder Rose Amoanimaa Yeboah has officially ended her collegiate track and field career with the University of Illinois, calling it a journey “completely full” of gratitude as she transitions to the professional ranks.
The Ghanaian star, who competes for the Illinois “Orange and Blue”, announced the end of her NCAA journey on Facebook with a heartfelt message to the coaches, teammates and supporters who shaped her path from Ghana to Champaign-Urbana.
“If I could continue to compete for the orange and blue, I would do it over and over again,” Yeboah wrote. “I will never forget where this journey started, and I owe everything to the people who helped me get here.”
Yeboah reserved special thanks for her coaches, revealing the behind-the-scenes work it took to bring her from Ghana to Illinois.
“Thank you for changing my life. I know how hard you fought, how many obstacles you overcame, and the sheer mountain of paperwork and logistics it took just to get me from Ghana to this school,” she said. “You believed in a kid from thousands of miles away, and you gave me a chance when few others could. For that, I am forever in your debt.”
She also credited assistant coach Petros Kyprianou for his constant motivation: “Petros always believes in me even when I doubt myself. His motivation and speeches alone keep me moving.”
The national record holder thanked Illinois’ athletic trainers for keeping her healthy through years of rehab and recovery, her teammates for becoming “my second family away from home,” and the media staff for telling her story “authentically.”
“Every hard workout and victory belongs to us,” she told her Illinois teammates. To those still competing, she added: “Go dominate your remaining years here. I will be cheering you on every step of the way.”
While her time in the Illinois jersey is over, Yeboah made it clear this is just the start.
“While my time wearing the university jersey is over, my track career is just beginning. I am incredibly proud as I transition into the professional field. The journey continues, the goals are bigger, and I am ready to work. Next stop, the pro circuit!”
Yeboah leaves Illinois as Ghana’s female high jump record holder and one of the program’s standout athletes. Fans and the Ghanaian athletics community will now follow her next chapter as she takes on the global pro circuit.
