Meet John Ampomah: the javelin thrower who breaks national records for fun

He broke the first national record in 2012. And then another. And another.

It's quite clear this 24-year old is a bit special.

Ghana's new javelin record holder John Ampomah is bullish about prospects of qualifying for the upcoming World Championship in Beijing.

Ampomah set the national record after throwing 76.50m to comfortably win his third outdoor competition in Alabama a fortnight ago.

Habitual record-breaker
His new personal best replaces the previous record (set by himself) of 75.99m, set at the CAA African Championships in August 2015 where he placed fifth overall.

Ampomah, who was part of Ghana's team that won six medals in Marrakech at last year's African Championships - the highest total by the country since 2006 - tells Joy Sports that he's excited at blazing the trail in his discipline.

"It's been a while now since we started having throwers in the Ghana team, so I'm very excited that am blazing the trail and making it to this level."

"Qualifying for the World Championship is my target at the moment. I'm so looking forward to it and I hope to make an impression at the competition in Beijing in August."

The 2012 African Championship silver medalist broke onto the scene in 2012, breaking the 19-year old national record with a throw of 69.00m in March 2012 in Tamale.

Then he went on to beat the record two more times at the African Championships, where he won silver, and at the 2012 rlg Grand Prix in Kumasi where he threw 73.69m.

Trajectory
Ampomah, who was Ghana's co-captain at the 2014 African Championships, is one of the first three athletes who benefited from the Ghana Athletics Association’s Education Trust Fund.

He left for the USA in January 2012, alongside Doreen Agyei and Atsu Nyamadi with the support of then Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Kofi Humado and then deputy Minister Dr. Omane-Boamah.

The 15th World Championships in Athletics are scheduled be held in August. The event will be the largest sporting event to take place at the Beijing National Stadium (also known as the Bird's Nest) since the 2008 Summer Olympics.