Four-time Milo Marathon winner, Godwin Adukpo retires

Four-time Milo Marathon winner, Godwin Atsu Adukpo has retired from active competition to take up coaching and management duties.

The 30-year-old who disclosed this to Primenewsghana in an interview said, he had to make the difficult decision following a nagging injury he sustained in 2009 which is having a toll on his career.

Adukpo won the marathon for the first time in 2005 at age 18 after joining the main event in 2003 and 2004.

He was unable to run subsequent years after winning due to academic demands but came back strongly in 2008 where he won the competition for three consecutive times (2008,2009 and 2010).

He is bowing out of the competition as one of the greatest, having won four times, just one behind his mentor, five-time winner, David Zigah.

According to Adukpo, he is currently running the Divine Athletics Club which is located in Accra with four ‘serious’ athletes currently in his camp.

His athletes he said, would be participating in this year’s Accra Milo Marathon in September and expected to take over from their coach.

“But for my injury, I could have won more competitions but still proud of my achievements. Athletics changed my life and even though I'v retired, I would continue to help young athletes to become the best they could,” he stated.

The Customs Officer urged upcoming athletes to be committed, dedicated and sacrifice a little in order to benefit in future.

“Use today to prepare for tomorrow as nothing comes easily in athletics. It does not take a day to become a champion but constant training and dedication,” he stated.

Though an orphan, who lost his parents before age five, Adukpo said with determination he has surmounted all obstacles to become the best in the sport.

“I had to beg for food, sleep outside and sometimes called a thief in my quest compete in the Accra Milo Marathon. But after winning, I became a national figure and got a good job and living a comfortable life,” he narrated.

Through athletics, he said, he has never paid school fees as he received scholarships right from the primary school when he was discovered through to the University of Education, Winneba where he had his Diploma.

He therefore asked young athletes not to make money a priority but rather work hard to become champions and money would not be an issue for them.

The quest for money he said, is killing athletics in the country and young people must realize that, their career would not blossom if they continue to chase money instead of working hard to become the best.

Adukpo who is married with three kids said, he would support his children if they show interest in the sport.

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