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 Science in Kinesiology Exercise Science and is working towards a Clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy.
In her leisure time, she enjoys learning Arabic and coaches young athletes in track and field. Her music tastes lean towards reggae and dancehall, with artists like Popcaan and Drake featuring on her playlist.
Reflecting on her achievements, Kamara expressed pride in representing her ancestors and breaking records, which solidifies her dedication to Sierra Leone athletics. Initially motivated by personal ambition during the 2014 Commonwealth Games, she found a deeper purpose in supporting her teammates and helping aspiring athletes back home.
Recently returning from the African Championships in South Africa, Kamara faced challenges, including the inability to compete in the Women’s 4×100 relay due to a lack of athletes. Despite these hurdles, her teammate Aisha Naive-Wey reached the finals of the 400m hurdles.
Kamara acknowledges her connection with Sierra Leone’s athletics officials, albeit limited by communication challenges. She believes the disparity in support for athletics compared to football lies in the amateur nature of the sport, which struggles for recognition and funding.
To elevate athletics in Sierra Leone, she emphasises the need for community support and involvement, urging families and businesses to rally behind young athletes. Kamara hopes to establish a youth athletics programme in Sierra Leone, facilitating training camps to develop local talent and sports in the country.
Looking ahead, Kamara’s goals include breaking her own records and increasing participation in athletics, ultimately helping to foster a broader sports culture beyond football in Sierra Leone.
