Table of Contents
- Heartwarming stories of African athletes breaking stereotypes are not told enough
- These are men and women who overcame their fears, doubt, and negativity by society
- They are the people who understand best what loving yourself and overcoming your fear means
Heartwarming stories of African athletes breaking stereotypes are not told enough.
Yet, they are the perfect path to not only inspire, but to also challenge talented, but doubtful athletes.
These are men and women who overcame their fears, doubt, negativity by society among other depressing factors to build a name for themselves.
They are the people who understand best what loving yourself and overcoming your fear means. Today, they have a place in global sports as mentors and policy shapers in various sporting disciplines.
Who are the African Athletes Breaking Stereotypes?
SportsLeo takes you through the list of the most amazing souls in the African sports scene who overcame insurmountable challenges to win and make history.
Caster Semenya
Caster Semenya. Photo/France 24
The South African athlete has lived through it all. Caster Semenya leads among African athletes breaking stereotypes.
She never gave up on her athletics career despite controversy about her gender and biological composition. Semenya was born a girl and raised as one.
However, she suffers from Differences of Sexual Development (DSD) disorder which triggers her body to produce a higher amount of testosterone than necessary.
The 34-year-old was once subjected to gender verification against her will and she sought legal redress over infringement of her rights.
What followed was a ban from competing on women’s events which appealed. World Athletics later said that persons with DSD would take medication to suppress testosterone.
She refused and appealed this decision at the European Court of Human Rights citing the side effects the drugs would cause on her body.
The 800m champion used the negativity by some quarters to fuel her zeal to keep winning and being the best athlete in South African history.
Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah
Imagine cycling and winning medals with just one leg. It looks impossible but Ghanaian Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah made history in 2001.
He cycled across his home country to raise awareness among Ghanaians about disability and how to extend grace to those living with it.
Ofosu is remembered for his call on people to change their mindset about those living with disability and always help them. He is the greatest para-cyclist to ever live in Ghana – and also a proponent of African athletes breaking stereotypes.
Siya Kolisi
Siya Kolisi became the first black player to be selected as the coach of the South African national rugby team, dominated by whites. Captaining the Springboks to win the 2019 Rugby World Cup, he broke the color lines and became an icon of a new era of the sport in South Africa and its openness.
Didier Drogba
Retired footballer from Ivory Coast Didier Drogba. Photo/France 24
Drogba initiated peace in Ivory Coast through football. He brokered a lasting peace de deal during a football match in the country back in 2005.
Drogba who was part of the national team playing in the FIFA 2006 World Cup used this stage to call to an end of civil war in the country.
He made to the list of African athletes breaking stereotypes when he successfully convinced the warring factions to down their weapons and preach peace.
Ivory Coast remembers him for this more than his successful football career.
María Mutola
Maria Mutola from Mozambique enjoys her fame in strides. Her countrymen call her ‘Maputo Express’ due to her undeniable athletic speed.
However, she faced gender and financial challenges as a black woman but she won an Olympic gold medal in the 800m.
Her victory eroded stereotypes about African women in athletics and encouraged more to join the sport.
Zersenay Tadese
Zersenay Tadese is joined the list of African athletes breaking stereotypes when he won an Olympic medal and a World Championship title. It was big news to the rest of the world since Ethiopia isn’t known for sports.
Tadese’s successes threatened the hegemony of the neighboring state of Ethiopia and Kenya in long-distance running. He cast Eritrea on a different light
Asisat Oshoala
Oshoala grew up in the streets of Lagos, living a not so premium life. No one would have thought that her name would ever appear on the list of the most successful African female footballers.
She played for FC Barcelona’s Femeni and always displayed her sports ethics as Muslim woman. Oshoala’s humility won her a huge fan base and respect.
