Hafsatu Kamara, Sierra Leone’s fastest woman, is set to represent her country at the Rio Summer Olympics this summer.
In an interview, she shares her journey, the challenges of being an athlete, and what it means to sprint for Sierra Leone.
In May 2015, Kamara set a new national record for the 100m at the U.S.
Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California, clocking in at 11.78 seconds, beating the previous record of 11.87 seconds held by Fatmata Bangura.
Kamara began her athletic career in Sierra Leone during the 1990s and later took up various sports in the US.
It was in her senior year at Nottingham High School in New Jersey that she truly realised her potential in track and field.
Her first major victory came in 2013 when she won the 100m Grand Prix at the West African Region II meet in Burkina Faso while representing Sierra Leone.
This experience continues to motivate her.
She cites Muhammad Ali, Evelyn Ashford, and Serena Williams as her inspirations, admiring their ability to make a difference in the world.
Kamara also credits her immigrant parents for their sacrifices, hoping to pave the way for future generations.
Training around 4-6 days a week, Kamara holds a Bachelor of....
