Akwasi Frimpong
Encyclopedia
Akwasi Frimpong is best known as the subject of the Dutch documentary film, “De Theorie van Het Konijn,” or “The Rabbit Theory.” He is also well known for his 13 year fight for Dutch citizenship. He hopes to compete as a sprinter
, representing The Netherlands, in the 2012 Summer Olympics
.
of Kumasi
, Ghana
, surrounded by nine other grandchildren, all under the care of his grandmother, Grandma Minka. Though they all slept on the ground and his grandmother struggled to feed that many mouths, Frimpong remembers those years with fondness. As a child, it was great to have that many playmates.
From Grandma Minka, Frimpong learned that he could achieve much, even with little resources, as long as he kept believing in himself.
At the age of eight, Frimpong joined his mother Esther Amoako, the famous Ghanaian gospel singer, in the Netherlands. At that time, he was not a legal immigrant to the Netherlands, but his family worked on obtaining his Dutch
residence permit. The process took 13 more years, and a monumental effort by his many supporters. He finally earned his residency permit in 2007, and gained Dutch nationality in 2008.
Sammy Monsels. By 2003, he was the Dutch
Nation
al Junior Champion in the 200 meter sprints.
From there, his Olympic
aspirations began. But in late 2004, an ankle injury derailed his Olympic dreams. Because he was an undocumented immigrant, no doctor would treat him. Finally, physiotherapist Michael Davidson, who had been following his story, offered his services for one euro. He treated Frimpong, but it took three long years before he was fully recovered.
Still, once the physical recovery was complete, the mental part was not. Frimpong had lost some of his speed, and the toll of being a nomad was wearying.
About that time, he met some study-abroad students from America and heard about running opportunities there. He sent his athletic profile to Utah Valley University Track Coach Scott Houle in Orem, Utah
, and was offered a scholarship.
He started at UVU in 2008, and runs the 100 meter, 200 meter and 4X100 meter relay
for the university
. In May
2010, Frimpong helped the relay team break the school record during the 2010 Great West Conference Championships, with a time of 41.05 seconds. In 2011, he helped UVU 4x400m relay team win a gold medal and broke the meet record during the Great West indoor Championships. The championships, were hosted in the hall of fame
Armory indoor track in New York City
.
Because of the opportunity to train at UVU, Frimpong renewed his Olympic dream to represent the Netherlands in 2012. But first, Frimpong must run the 200 meter in 20.40 seconds and the 100 meter in 10.20 seconds to qualify. Before his ankle injury, he ran the 100 meter at 10.32 seconds (hand timed), but since the injury, he’s had to work backward from 11 seconds — a huge stretch for a sprinter. He’s now running the 100 meters in 10.66 seconds. He has up until two months before the Olympics to qualify, but he has to run the qualifying times in two different Olympic qualification races, and be ranked as one of the top six 100 meter runners in the Netherlands. In 2010, he was ranked 70. In 2010, he jumped to the number six spot. This year, Frimpong improved to a third spot on the Dutch 100 meters ranking with a time of 10.45 seconds. He has qualified for both the 100 and 200 meters World University Games 2011 also called Universiade
in Shenzhen
, China
. Frimpong, has also earned a spot in the 2011 Dutch World Championships' team that will compete in the 4x100 meters relay in Daegu
, South Korea
, but first Frimpong must finish top six in the 100 meters during the Dutch national championships on July 30 and 31 in Amsterdam.
Frimpong earned the nickname “GoldenSprint” after he received the Michael Johnson
golden spikes (sprint shoes) from Monsels in 2002, and won the gold medal in 2003. According to Frimpong, it's not just about winning a gold medal
, but being the best you can be and aiming for the highest in life.
"I battled for 13 years. Giving up was an option, but being patient and persistent were the chosen tools that nurtured the champion from within," Frimpong says of his nickname. "What you need for success is already planted deep down inside of you. The root of your success starts in believing in yourself, then it is nurtured with a positive attitude, hard work and persistence, and that will bring your success to reality.”
, a Ghanaian-born, Frimpong, was nominated for the top award of the Municipality – “The Amsterdammer of the Year.” This award is given to the resident whose contribution to the development of the municipality made most impact on society at large. Ultimately Frimpong did not win the award, but with his second place spot, he knocked at door to 'Hall of Fame
' and made history at the age of 22.
After winning the Dutch National Junior Championship in 2003 at the age of 17, Frimpong was seen as the newest sprinting talent
from the Bijlmer, Amsterdam
. Frimpong trained each night under Subwaystation Kraaiennest with former Olympian
Sammy Monsels, and the film follows his journey of training for the Olympics, while fighting for Dutch residency.
It’s more than just a film about an athlete or a film about citizenship
. At one point in the film
when he is at a race, he describes feeling like a rabbit
in a stadium surrounded by lions, needing to be astonishing just to survive. His entire life
can be summed up by this analogy. The documentary
premiered in Europe
in September
2010 and has been submitted to festivals all over the world
.
detailing his childhood illegal alien struggles and his Olympic aspirations. He felt isolated
and silenced for 13 long years, as the Dutch
immigration
constantly rejected his request to become a citizen, and this letter
was one of many ways Frimpong says he is breaking free of the stifling silence he had to maintain as an illegal alien
.
to retract their ruling on my citizenship. Every day I was under stress, knowing that, at any moment, the government could deport me. Even still, I pushed forward with my dreams of becoming an Olympic athlete, practicing every day at the local public track facility, which gave me access to some of the best coaching, mentoring
, and friendships that I could possibly have. However, I was not allowed to compete in the major track and field events, due to my immigration status. My coaches and friends stuck with me for those thirteen years because they saw that I was willing to do whatever it takes to achieve my goals in life.
Thanks to my coaches, family
, friends, and the grace of God
, I was finally able to receive my legal residency status in Amsterdam in the summer of 2008. I then received an athletic scholarship
at Utah Valley University in the United States
, allowing me further opportunity to pursue my athletic goals, as well as earn a bachelor’s degree. I have set some new track records at the university and am making steady progress on meeting my goals, including trying out for the Olympics.
I believe God brought me to the United States for a purpose. Through my experiences, I am finding my voice
in this world. I want to inspire others through my story, sharing my struggles and triumphs with as many others as possible. I’ve recently decided to start a foundation to help others achieve their goals. I hope to contribute by bringing forth more leaders in this society who, in turn, will reach out and do the same for others.”
He hopes to someday meet Oprah personally.
Frimpong has also let his voice be heard as a columnist for “Het Parool
,” the largest newspaper in Amsterdam
, in 2008, and again in 2011, as a columnist for in the college newspaper, the “Utah Valley University Review.” He also frequently gives motivation speeches all over the world to businesses, schools and social organizations. During his speeches, he talks about the principles that have brought him success in life and how these principles are transferable in any stage in life.
1995 – Moved to the Netherlands as undocumented immigrant
2001 – Started running
2002 – Started training under former Olympian Sammy Monsels
2003 – Named Dutch Junior National Champion in 200-meter sprint
2004 – Started Johan Cruyff College (Upper vocational level education)
2004 – Broke left ankle
2007 – Named Johan Cruyff International Student of the Year, graduated
2007 – Second place nomination for Amsterdammer Citizen of the Year
2007 – Received Dutch National Permit
2008 – Received Dutch passport, moved to Utah
, started at UVU
2010 – Broke UVU record in 4X100 meter relay
2010 – Dutch national film premier of “The Rabbit Theory,” a five-year documentary of Frimpong’s journey
2011 - Wins gold and break meet record in the 4X400m relay during Great West 2011 indoor Championships
2011 - Becomes the face of UVU's 2011 Track and Field
season
http://www.uvureview.com/2010/11/01/akwasi-frimpong-knows-about-struggles/
http://www.wolverinegreen.com/sports/c-track/mtt/frimpong_akwasi00.html
http://www.uvureview.com/2011/01/18/indoor-track-and-field-start-off-season-big/
http://www.uvureview.com/2011/01/10/dear-international-students-a-letter-from-akwasi-frimpong/
http://www.filmfestival.nl/nl/films/theorie-van-het-konijn
http://www.cruyffinstitute.nl/Theorievanhetkonijn
http://www.cruyffcollege.org/en/VideoAkwasiFrimpong
http://up2dayte.wordpress.com/2010/09/09/documentaire-over-sprinter-akwasi-frimpong/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB_Ioo_QJNM&feature=related
http://www.deburcht.org/documenten/Lezing%20Burgemeester%20Job%20Cohen.pdf
http://www.melvinredeker.nl/website/files/Cruyff%20Sports%20Management%20Journal%2004_apr06_eng.pdf
http://www.echo.nl/ec-zo/buurt/redactie/1053309/akwasi.frimpong.sprint.sneller/
http://www.bijlmerenzo.nl/showevents.asp?xtitle=Film+over+Akwasi+Frimpong&cat_id=-1&web_id=136&evt_id=8235
http://www.edutainmentamsterdam.nl/Default.aspx?id=3588
http://www.rtvnh.nl/programma/36/Docblok/6614
http://www.echo.nl/ec-zo/buurt/redactie/1068864/frimpong.op.naar.gouden.kalf/
http://www.rnw.nl/suriname/article/theorie-van-het-konijn-van-monsels-premi%C3%A8re
http://www.hardlopen.nl/index.php/component/content/article/1-latest-news/1462-film-over-nl-se-sprinter-genomineerd
http://www.kinderfonds.nl/9365000/1/j9vvhk9m5fsbgh9/vhrdewqa45n7
http://webmail2.dudokcollege.nl/start/$sfi?29605
http://www.rtvnh.nl/nieuws/48365/nieuws%5Bapenstaartje%5Drtvnh.nl
Interview and correspondence with Akwasi Frimpong, by Karissa Neely, Aug. 25 – Dec. 23, 2010.
Sprinter
Sprinter can refer to:in sport:* a person who participates in Sprint running* a cycling sprinter* Open-wheeled Sprint car racingmotor vehicles:* the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter , a cargo van...
, representing The Netherlands, in the 2012 Summer Olympics
2012 Summer Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the "London 2012 Olympic Games", are scheduled to take place in London, England, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012...
.
Childhood
Frimpong spent his first eight years in a small one-room home in the African villageVillage
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
of Kumasi
Kumasi
Kumasi is a city in southern central Ghana's Ashanti region. It is located near Lake Bosomtwe, in the Rain Forest Region about northwest of Accra. Kumasi is approximately north of the Equator and north of the Gulf of Guinea...
, Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
, surrounded by nine other grandchildren, all under the care of his grandmother, Grandma Minka. Though they all slept on the ground and his grandmother struggled to feed that many mouths, Frimpong remembers those years with fondness. As a child, it was great to have that many playmates.
From Grandma Minka, Frimpong learned that he could achieve much, even with little resources, as long as he kept believing in himself.
At the age of eight, Frimpong joined his mother Esther Amoako, the famous Ghanaian gospel singer, in the Netherlands. At that time, he was not a legal immigrant to the Netherlands, but his family worked on obtaining his Dutch
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
residence permit. The process took 13 more years, and a monumental effort by his many supporters. He finally earned his residency permit in 2007, and gained Dutch nationality in 2008.
The GoldenSprint
Frimpong actually didn’t start running until he was 15 years old, when a friend showed him a medal he’d won in a race. Frimpong wanted one, so, in 2001, he started running under former OlympianOlympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
Sammy Monsels. By 2003, he was the Dutch
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
Nation
Nation
A nation may refer to a community of people who share a common language, culture, ethnicity, descent, and/or history. In this definition, a nation has no physical borders. However, it can also refer to people who share a common territory and government irrespective of their ethnic make-up...
al Junior Champion in the 200 meter sprints.
From there, his Olympic
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
aspirations began. But in late 2004, an ankle injury derailed his Olympic dreams. Because he was an undocumented immigrant, no doctor would treat him. Finally, physiotherapist Michael Davidson, who had been following his story, offered his services for one euro. He treated Frimpong, but it took three long years before he was fully recovered.
Still, once the physical recovery was complete, the mental part was not. Frimpong had lost some of his speed, and the toll of being a nomad was wearying.
About that time, he met some study-abroad students from America and heard about running opportunities there. He sent his athletic profile to Utah Valley University Track Coach Scott Houle in Orem, Utah
Orem, Utah
Orem is a city in Utah County, Utah, United States, in the north-central part of the state. It is adjacent to Provo, Lindon, and Vineyard and is about south of Salt Lake City. Orem is one of the principal cities of the Provo-Orem, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Utah and...
, and was offered a scholarship.
He started at UVU in 2008, and runs the 100 meter, 200 meter and 4X100 meter relay
Relay
A relay is an electrically operated switch. Many relays use an electromagnet to operate a switching mechanism mechanically, but other operating principles are also used. Relays are used where it is necessary to control a circuit by a low-power signal , or where several circuits must be controlled...
for the university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
. In May
May
May is the fifth month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars and one of seven months with the length of 31 days.May is a month of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere and spring in the Northern Hemisphere...
2010, Frimpong helped the relay team break the school record during the 2010 Great West Conference Championships, with a time of 41.05 seconds. In 2011, he helped UVU 4x400m relay team win a gold medal and broke the meet record during the Great West indoor Championships. The championships, were hosted in the hall of fame
Hall of Fame
A hall of fame, wall of fame, walk of fame, walk of stars or avenue of stars is a type of attraction established for any field of endeavor to honor individuals of noteworthy achievement in that field...
Armory indoor track in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Because of the opportunity to train at UVU, Frimpong renewed his Olympic dream to represent the Netherlands in 2012. But first, Frimpong must run the 200 meter in 20.40 seconds and the 100 meter in 10.20 seconds to qualify. Before his ankle injury, he ran the 100 meter at 10.32 seconds (hand timed), but since the injury, he’s had to work backward from 11 seconds — a huge stretch for a sprinter. He’s now running the 100 meters in 10.66 seconds. He has up until two months before the Olympics to qualify, but he has to run the qualifying times in two different Olympic qualification races, and be ranked as one of the top six 100 meter runners in the Netherlands. In 2010, he was ranked 70. In 2010, he jumped to the number six spot. This year, Frimpong improved to a third spot on the Dutch 100 meters ranking with a time of 10.45 seconds. He has qualified for both the 100 and 200 meters World University Games 2011 also called Universiade
Universiade
The Universiade is an International multi-sport event, organized for university athletes by the International University Sports Federation . The name is a combination of the words "University" and "olympiad"...
in Shenzhen
Shenzhen
Shenzhen is a major city in the south of Southern China's Guangdong Province, situated immediately north of Hong Kong. The area became China's first—and one of the most successful—Special Economic Zones...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Frimpong, has also earned a spot in the 2011 Dutch World Championships' team that will compete in the 4x100 meters relay in Daegu
Daegu
Daegu , also known as Taegu, and officially the Daegu Metropolitan City, is a city in South Korea, the fourth largest after Seoul, Busan, and Incheon, and the third largest metropolitan area in the country with over 2.5 million residents. The city is the capital and principal city of the...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, but first Frimpong must finish top six in the 100 meters during the Dutch national championships on July 30 and 31 in Amsterdam.
Frimpong earned the nickname “GoldenSprint” after he received the Michael Johnson
Michael Johnson
-Musicians:*Michael Johnson , American pop, country and folk singer-songwriter and guitarist*Mike Johnson , American experimental rock guitarist and composer...
golden spikes (sprint shoes) from Monsels in 2002, and won the gold medal in 2003. According to Frimpong, it's not just about winning a gold medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
, but being the best you can be and aiming for the highest in life.
"I battled for 13 years. Giving up was an option, but being patient and persistent were the chosen tools that nurtured the champion from within," Frimpong says of his nickname. "What you need for success is already planted deep down inside of you. The root of your success starts in believing in yourself, then it is nurtured with a positive attitude, hard work and persistence, and that will bring your success to reality.”
The Amsterdam Citizen of the Year Award
In 2007, for the first time in the history of AmsterdamAmsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, a Ghanaian-born, Frimpong, was nominated for the top award of the Municipality – “The Amsterdammer of the Year.” This award is given to the resident whose contribution to the development of the municipality made most impact on society at large. Ultimately Frimpong did not win the award, but with his second place spot, he knocked at door to 'Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame
A hall of fame, wall of fame, walk of fame, walk of stars or avenue of stars is a type of attraction established for any field of endeavor to honor individuals of noteworthy achievement in that field...
' and made history at the age of 22.
De Theorie van Het Konijn
The documentary film, The RabbitTheory, by Dutch filmmakers Rinske Bosch and Nicole Batteke, begins in 2003, and follows Frimpong for five years in the Netherlands.After winning the Dutch National Junior Championship in 2003 at the age of 17, Frimpong was seen as the newest sprinting talent
Talent
Talent can refer to:*Talent *Aptitude, a talent is a group of aptitudes useful for some activity, talents may refer to aptitudes themselvesEntertainment*A show-business personality or group of them...
from the Bijlmer, Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
. Frimpong trained each night under Subwaystation Kraaiennest with former Olympian
Olympian
- Magic and mythology :* One of the Twelve Olympians* One of the seven spirits described in Arbatel de magia veterum- Technology :* Leyland Olympian, double decker bus* Volvo Olympian, double decker bus* Volvo Olympian , also known as Volvo B9TL...
Sammy Monsels, and the film follows his journey of training for the Olympics, while fighting for Dutch residency.
It’s more than just a film about an athlete or a film about citizenship
Citizenship
Citizenship is the state of being a citizen of a particular social, political, national, or human resource community. Citizenship status, under social contract theory, carries with it both rights and responsibilities...
. At one point in the film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
when he is at a race, he describes feeling like a rabbit
Rabbit
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world...
in a stadium surrounded by lions, needing to be astonishing just to survive. His entire life
Life
Life is a characteristic that distinguishes objects that have signaling and self-sustaining processes from those that do not, either because such functions have ceased , or else because they lack such functions and are classified as inanimate...
can be summed up by this analogy. The documentary
Documentary
A documentary is a creative work of non-fiction, including:* Documentary film, including television* Radio documentary* Documentary photographyRelated terms include:...
premiered in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in September
September
September is the 9th month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian Calendars and one of four months with a length of 30 days.September in the Southern Hemisphere is the seasonal equivalent of March in the Northern Hemisphere....
2010 and has been submitted to festivals all over the world
World
World is a common name for the whole of human civilization, specifically human experience, history, or the human condition in general, worldwide, i.e. anywhere on Earth....
.
Letting His Voice Be Heard
In December 2010, Frimpong wrote a letter to Oprah WinfreyOprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer and philanthropist. Winfrey is best known for her self-titled, multi-award-winning talk show, which has become the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011...
detailing his childhood illegal alien struggles and his Olympic aspirations. He felt isolated
Solitude
Solitude is a state of seclusion or isolation, i.e., lack of contact with people. It may stem from bad relationships, deliberate choice, infectious disease, mental disorders, neurological disorders or circumstances of employment or situation .Short-term solitude is often valued as a time when one...
and silenced for 13 long years, as the Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
immigration
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
constantly rejected his request to become a citizen, and this letter
Letter
A letter is a written message from one party to another. The role of letters in communication has changed significantly since the nineteenth century...
was one of many ways Frimpong says he is breaking free of the stifling silence he had to maintain as an illegal alien
Alien (law)
In law, an alien is a person in a country who is not a citizen of that country.-Categorization:Types of "alien" persons are:*An alien who is legally permitted to remain in a country which is foreign to him or her. On specified terms, this kind of alien may be called a legal alien of that country...
.
He tells Oprah in his letter
“I struggled to live illegally in Amsterdam, constantly appealing to the governmentGovernment
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
to retract their ruling on my citizenship. Every day I was under stress, knowing that, at any moment, the government could deport me. Even still, I pushed forward with my dreams of becoming an Olympic athlete, practicing every day at the local public track facility, which gave me access to some of the best coaching, mentoring
Mentoring
Mentorship refers to a personal developmental relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person helps a less experienced or less knowledgeable person....
, and friendships that I could possibly have. However, I was not allowed to compete in the major track and field events, due to my immigration status. My coaches and friends stuck with me for those thirteen years because they saw that I was willing to do whatever it takes to achieve my goals in life.
Thanks to my coaches, family
Family
In human context, a family is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence. In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children...
, friends, and the grace of God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
, I was finally able to receive my legal residency status in Amsterdam in the summer of 2008. I then received an athletic scholarship
Athletic scholarship
An athletic scholarship is a form of scholarship to attend a college or university awarded to an individual based predominantly on his or her ability to play in a sport...
at Utah Valley University in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, allowing me further opportunity to pursue my athletic goals, as well as earn a bachelor’s degree. I have set some new track records at the university and am making steady progress on meeting my goals, including trying out for the Olympics.
I believe God brought me to the United States for a purpose. Through my experiences, I am finding my voice
Voice
Voice may refer to:* Human voice* Voice control or voice activation* Writer's voice* Voice acting* Voice vote* Voice message-In film:* Voice , a 2005 South Korean film* The Voice , a 2010 Turkish horror film directed by Ümit Ünal...
in this world. I want to inspire others through my story, sharing my struggles and triumphs with as many others as possible. I’ve recently decided to start a foundation to help others achieve their goals. I hope to contribute by bringing forth more leaders in this society who, in turn, will reach out and do the same for others.”
He hopes to someday meet Oprah personally.
Frimpong has also let his voice be heard as a columnist for “Het Parool
Het Parool
Het Parool is an Amsterdam-based daily newspaper. It was founded as a resistance paper during World War II by Frans Van Heuven Goedhart and Jaap Nunes Vaz...
,” the largest newspaper in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, in 2008, and again in 2011, as a columnist for in the college newspaper, the “Utah Valley University Review.” He also frequently gives motivation speeches all over the world to businesses, schools and social organizations. During his speeches, he talks about the principles that have brought him success in life and how these principles are transferable in any stage in life.
Timeline
1986 – Born in Ghana1995 – Moved to the Netherlands as undocumented immigrant
2001 – Started running
2002 – Started training under former Olympian Sammy Monsels
2003 – Named Dutch Junior National Champion in 200-meter sprint
2004 – Started Johan Cruyff College (Upper vocational level education)
2004 – Broke left ankle
2007 – Named Johan Cruyff International Student of the Year, graduated
2007 – Second place nomination for Amsterdammer Citizen of the Year
2007 – Received Dutch National Permit
2008 – Received Dutch passport, moved to Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, started at UVU
2010 – Broke UVU record in 4X100 meter relay
2010 – Dutch national film premier of “The Rabbit Theory,” a five-year documentary of Frimpong’s journey
2011 - Wins gold and break meet record in the 4X400m relay during Great West 2011 indoor Championships
2011 - Becomes the face of UVU's 2011 Track and Field
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
season
UVU (Utah Valley University)
http://www.uvureview.com/2010/11/01/sprinting-towards-the-gold/http://www.uvureview.com/2010/11/01/akwasi-frimpong-knows-about-struggles/
http://www.wolverinegreen.com/sports/c-track/mtt/frimpong_akwasi00.html
http://www.uvureview.com/2011/01/18/indoor-track-and-field-start-off-season-big/
http://www.uvureview.com/2011/01/10/dear-international-students-a-letter-from-akwasi-frimpong/
ModernGhana
http://www.modernghana.com/sports/152139/2/ghanaian-dutch-nominated-for-amsterdammer-of-the-y.htmlDutch references
http://vorige.nrc.nl/sport/article1858405.ece/Studeren%2C_bidden%2C_sporten_voor_asielhttp://www.filmfestival.nl/nl/films/theorie-van-het-konijn
http://www.cruyffinstitute.nl/Theorievanhetkonijn
http://www.cruyffcollege.org/en/VideoAkwasiFrimpong
http://up2dayte.wordpress.com/2010/09/09/documentaire-over-sprinter-akwasi-frimpong/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB_Ioo_QJNM&feature=related
http://www.deburcht.org/documenten/Lezing%20Burgemeester%20Job%20Cohen.pdf
http://www.melvinredeker.nl/website/files/Cruyff%20Sports%20Management%20Journal%2004_apr06_eng.pdf
http://www.echo.nl/ec-zo/buurt/redactie/1053309/akwasi.frimpong.sprint.sneller/
http://www.bijlmerenzo.nl/showevents.asp?xtitle=Film+over+Akwasi+Frimpong&cat_id=-1&web_id=136&evt_id=8235
http://www.edutainmentamsterdam.nl/Default.aspx?id=3588
http://www.rtvnh.nl/programma/36/Docblok/6614
http://www.echo.nl/ec-zo/buurt/redactie/1068864/frimpong.op.naar.gouden.kalf/
http://www.rnw.nl/suriname/article/theorie-van-het-konijn-van-monsels-premi%C3%A8re
http://www.hardlopen.nl/index.php/component/content/article/1-latest-news/1462-film-over-nl-se-sprinter-genomineerd
http://www.kinderfonds.nl/9365000/1/j9vvhk9m5fsbgh9/vhrdewqa45n7
http://webmail2.dudokcollege.nl/start/$sfi?29605
http://www.rtvnh.nl/nieuws/48365/nieuws%5Bapenstaartje%5Drtvnh.nl
Interview and correspondence with Akwasi Frimpong, by Karissa Neely, Aug. 25 – Dec. 23, 2010.