Rose Amakwah: London nurse who was African sprint champion

“If I were younger now, I would want to go back to running.”

Rose Amakwah, once known as “Africa's fastest woman,'' is looking back on her days as a member of the Ghanaian race circuit after nearly 50 years in the civil service.

Although she has been recognized for her service, she was breaking records even before her nursing career began in 1975.

“I was the second fastest woman in Africa and won a silver medal in the 100m at the All African Games in Nigeria. [in 1973]'' Amakwah told BBC Sport Africa.

“I also won a gold medal at the Afro-Latin American Games in Mexico that year and a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games. [relay] Won a medal in New Zealand in 1974.

“And it will be there forever. Google, wherever I go, my name will be there.

“Being an athlete was great. I really enjoyed it. I still watch track and field, the Diamond League, the World Championships, and the Olympics. I also record them so I can watch them after work.”

Rose Asiedua, as she was known before her marriage in 1979, was born in Kumasi, Ghana, the youngest of nine children.

While her parents worked in a market shop in the city, she realized from an early age that she had an athletic talent and rose through the school ranks, first in the long jump and high jump, then in sprints. Ta.

After Inter-High, her talent was noticed by Ghana Athletics.

“We had a coach named Mr. Lawson who told us that long jump and high jump were wasting our time and that we wanted to practice sprinting,” she recalls.

“Then I became the Ashanti region representative and came in first place. That’s how it all started.”

After traveling the world representing Ghana on the global athletics stage, Amakwah followed one of her brothers to England in 1974 and, at the urging of a neighbor, pursued a career in nursing.

However, her love for track and field remained constant, and as she began her studies, she began to interact with some of the world's greatest sprinters.

“When I came to London, I was practicing at what is now called Linford Christie Stadium,” she said.

“I used to train a little bit at Thames Valley Stadium with Linford Christie.”

Amakwah's passion for running was so strong that her tutor and NHS employer sympathetically replaced her so she could continue training.

She was determined to compete in the 1976 Canadian Olympics, but her dreams were dashed for reasons beyond her control.

“I received permission from my nursing school to represent Ghana in the 1976 Montreal Games, but then African countries boycotted the games,” she explained.

“I was very disappointed. I was working during the day and training at night, but suddenly I couldn't go.”

As her track and field career came to an end, Amakwah's career as a doctor began to blossom.

After graduating as a nurse, she rose through the ranks in the NHS and became a theater hostess in west London.

For her exemplary service at Central Middlesex Hospital, she received the prestigious Silver Medal Award for Outstanding Service.

But thousands of patients will have passed through Matron Amakwaa's ward without knowing that the former international sprinter was being treated.

Even to her colleagues at the hospital, her sports history was a surprise.

“I recently learned that she has been silent for years!” said Linda Lonergan, a ward sister who has worked with Amakwaa for 29 years.

“I was very shocked but at the same time I am very proud of her. She has achieved so much in her life.

“She's a good friend and my boss. She's lovely. She's very efficient and always very kind to her patients.

“She's always smiling and makes them feel at ease.”

Ward sister Jayanthi John credits Amakwa for always encouraging staff to pursue opportunities for growth.

“It's great to work for her. She always has a positive attitude,” John said.

“She always shares her experiences with other colleagues and never keeps things to herself. Anyone who comes under her learns, on, on, on. .

“She is like a mother to everyone, and we are truly honored to work for her.”

After more than 49 years working in hospitals, the medal-winning former athlete will enter a new phase in life and leave behind a huge legacy.

“Oh, I'm going to miss her so much,” Lonergan says.

“She was one of the original staff members and it wouldn't be the same without her.”

Amakwah has four children and 10 grandchildren, and his sporting talent has influenced the entire family.

Her son Kevin recently retired from professional football in England's lower leagues and is now a personal trainer.

Three of her grandchildren have also excelled in sports, with one granddaughter being a member of the British gymnastics team, another a member of the British dance group, and a granddaughter on Tottenham Hotspur's academy roster.

Daughter Lorraine proudly watches as Amakwah opens a treasure trove of photographs and medals, reflecting on her mother's sporting past.

“When I look at my mother's collection and all the stories and pictures she showed me from an early age, it makes me feel amazing,” she told BBC Sport Africa.

“Sports has played a big role in this family. When I was little and my oldest brother Kevin started playing soccer, we always watched sports.

“I'm so proud of my mother.”

Amakwah says the only thing that connects her two careers is total dedication.

“For nursing, you have to make a commitment. You can't wake up in the morning and say you're not going to work,” she said.

“It’s like being an athlete: you have to train hard and love what you do.

“I love nursing. It's just like being an athlete.”

After working at the same hospital for almost half a century, Amakwah will finally take off her gown in the coming days.

So what does she miss most?

“My staff, I'm going to miss going to work. I love what I do. I'm going to really miss it,” she said.

“I’m thinking, ‘What am I going to do when I retire?’ But I know what I’m going to do.

“I'm going to take some time off and rest to take care of my grandson. I can't wake up at 5 or 6 in the morning!”

Amakwah, with advice from experts, still hopes someone in her family will follow in her footsteps and become an athlete.

“One of my grandsons is five years old and she seems to like track and field, so I hope to train her to be an athlete one day,” she added.

And when Amakwaa finally retires, he's looking forward to watching all the sports he loves.

“There's plenty of time to watch sports,” she said with a big smile.

“I'm looking forward to the Olympics in France. I'm going to relax in my chair. I'm going to watch them live, not on tape.”