By Awanbeng Fuh
Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
Emmanuel Eseme Alobwede has added another shining chapter to Cameroon’s growing sprint legacy, claiming bronze in the men’s 100m at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh — a performance that also secured Team Cameroon’s fifth medal of the competition.
Against a high-calibre field and on a warm Arabian night at the Prince Faisal Athletics Arena, the 30-year-old sprinter showed remarkable composure, powering through the final metres to secure a place on the podium. For a Games often dominated by North African and Middle Eastern sprint specialists, Eseme’s medal stood out as one of the most hard-fought of the evening.
This was not only a personal triumph, but a symbolic one for Cameroon. Eseme, long recognised as the country’s most consistent sprinter, reaffirmed his status as a national beacon in a discipline where stability and international visibility have been scarce.
In Riyadh, he delivered once again.
Consistency in the spotlight
Eseme’s bronze is another testament to the sprinter’s reliability on the continental and inter-Islamic stage. Known for his explosive start and fearless drive phase, he handled the pressure of a packed stadium and a nervy line-up with a maturity that has defined his career over recent years.
Team officials on-site praised his attitude and his leadership within the athletics delegation, highlighting his dedication during preparation camps and his influence on younger sprinters in the squad.
A boost for Team Cameroon
The bronze extends Cameroon’s medal tally to five at the Islamic Solidarity Games — a welcome boost in a multisport event where podium finishes have been hard to secure. Eseme’s success brought renewed energy to the delegation and offered a timely morale lift as the Games enter their decisive stages.
For the Cameroon Athletics Federation, his performance adds weight to calls for more investment in sprint development. Eseme’s trajectory, often achieved despite limited support structures, continues to demonstrate what is possible when talent meets resilience.
Bronze with the weight of gold
While bronze may not be the top of the podium, its significance is far deeper. It represents years of persistence, a personal mission to keep Cameroon’s flag flying high in the world’s purest and most unforgiving discipline — the 100 metres.
And in Riyadh, Emmanuel Eseme Alobwede did exactly that, once again proving why he remains one of the most respected African sprinters of the modern era.
If Team Cameroon needed a spark this week, Eseme provided it — in 10 seconds of brilliance.
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