Track and Field World Labels Joseph Fahnbulleh ‘Dangerous’ After Unexpected Shocker at 2024 World Athletics Relays

The Thomas Robinson Stadium is being witness to some thrilling fast-paced action as the 2024 World Athletics Relays rage on. With the 2024 Olympics looming on the horizon, track and field athletes are going all in with hopes of securing their tickets to Paris, and the two-time NCAA champ, Joseph Fahnbulleh just gave Liberia a fighting chance on the grand stage.

In the first heat of the men’s 4x100m relay event on the second day, the 22-year-old achieved exquisite speeds as the anchor of the Liberian team. With a time of 38.65 (a national record), the squad of Akeem Sirleaf, Emmanuel Matadi, Jabez Reeves, and Fahnbulleh have now qualified for the Paris Games, and fans can’t hold back on the admiring words.

On the official website of World Athletics, the results of the Bahamas are being updated in real time, making sure fans can keep up with all the developments. Liberia’s first three 100m laps weren’t all that great, and the team was trailing behind several others going into the final 100m. However, the Minnesota native Fahnbulleh came back strongly from behind to steal an auto spot after helping Liberia finish second.

For most track and field connoisseurs viewing Liberia as a contender for an Olympic podium finish isn’t usual. However, thanks to the spectacular feat that Joseph has managed to pull off, Liberian eyes are glistening.

Fans losing their minds

Naturally, fans are in search of words that would properly describe Joseph’s display. One fan thinks the 2023 African Games bronze medalist has a few tricks up his sleeves that his opponents would do well to take note of. “ when he gets to his speed he does something dangerous!” exclaimed the track and field fan on social media. Does that blazing speed indicate a shift in dominance on the tracks? Interestingly, that is what Fahnbulleh had said last year.

“For a while, it’s been the Americans. There’s a shift to the African side…I like that,” Fahnbulleh told the BBC World Service podcast The Warm Up Track last year just before the World Athletics Championships. That shift seemed prominent as fans went awestruck by his performance. They found a hard time coming to terms with what the Olympian could do on a good day. “ He chased down 3(?!) guys in that last 100m. His closing speed his something else!” commented the evidently stunned fan.

John is also in awe of the Florida Gators star’s prowess and doesn’t seem to have much to say about it apart from blurting out “Wow!!!!” Interestingly, Fahnbulleh himself seems to be quite sorted while taking stage in such competitions. “I’m not really putting that pressure on myself,” Fahnbulleh had said once. “I will just go out there and compete, whether I get first, second or third. Every round I’m aiming to win but yes, the next logical step is third,” he had further added.

Martin commented “a nasty forth leg” talking about the Hopkins High schooler’s performance from the Thomas Robinson Stadium in Nassau and that’s possibly a proper reflection of the collective admiration that’s taken over the world to exchange thoughts about Fahnbulleh form. But deep down under, Fahnbulleh’s quest is more than just for winning on the field.

Fahnbulleh’ is deeply invested in representing Liberia on the world stage. Her mother had left the country when he was 12 to avoid political turmoil. Now Fahnbulleh wants to do it for his mother. “…knowing that she hasn’t gone back home since she left, I want to represent the country the best way the best way that I can and that’s doing it through track and field.” The same emotion played out as Citiusmag posted a clip where Fahnbulleh was captured saying, “It means the world having Liberia on the big stage.” Naturally, even he seems to be over the moon with how things turned out at the Olympic qualifiers.

As the dust settles down, it waits to be seen if Joseph and his teammates can keep their heads in the game and pull off another upset at Paris two months later.