Emmanuel Sesi, the 2024 SWAG Cyclist of the Year, has emerged victorious in the 2nd edition of the Duku Festival Cycling Championship, beating hometown favorite Frank David Akuffo Awuku in a nail-biting photofinish.
The championship, which over 80 cyclists participate, covered a distance of 100 kilometers (30 laps).
Emmanuel Sesi’s Post-Race Reaction after emerging as the winner.
“I’m very happy, and the race was very interesting,” Sesi said, expressing his gratitude to the organizers and sponsors for making the event successful.
“It was a tough race, but I pushed hard to take the win. This is a very fast game, and it’s very serious and hard.”
Frank Akuffo Awuku, who finished second, attributed his loss to health issues, revealing he had been battling malaria since Wednesday and only had a day to recover and train before the race. Despite his disappointment, Awuku was proud to represent his hometown and thanked his team, coach Adolf, and the event organizers for their support.
The chairman of the Duku Festival Cycling Race, Justice Awuku, was impressed by the number of participants, which doubled from the first edition to over 80 cyclists. He praised the riders’ speed and endurance, noting that only 23 cyclists finished the race, showcasing the competitiveness of the event.
The Secretary-General of the Ghana Cycling Federation, Mr. Shaaban Mohammed, commended the organizers for hosting a fantastic event, highlighting the growth of cycling in Ghana.
“This year’s Duku Cycling race is fantastic, amazing, with great spectator turnout,” he said. Mohammed also noted that the average speed of close to 37 kilometers per hour was encouraging for the development of cycling in the country.
The winner of the second edition received a cash prize of GH¢ 10,000.00, while the second position also cashed out GH¢ 5,000.00, and the third position received GH¢ 3,000.00. The 4th to 6th positions received GH¢ 500.00 each, and the 7th to 10th positions received GH¢ 300.00 each. The total prize package for the male category is GH¢ 20,700.00.
The Duku Festival Cycling Championship promises to return next year, with organizers aiming to make it an even bigger success. As Ghanaian cycling continues to grow, events like these play a crucial role in promoting the sport and nurturing talented cyclists.
