The 33 year old Nkrumah-Acheampong was born in Glasgow, Scotland where his father studied. Was raised in Ghana and never experienced the harsh weather conditions of Glasgow. He was introduced to snow in 2002 when he moved back to study in Britain where he became a receptionist at a ski centre with an indoor real- snow slope.
In his interview with the Daily Telegraph, he claimed that all he ever knew about skiing was through watching a James Bond film and it took off from there. His coaches on the other hand believe that he’s a natural. He’s spent the last four winters in the Italian Alps, funded by summer jobs and his wife, Sena.
He managed to garner the required 140 points for the season-long tally to guarantee a place at next year's Winter Olympics in Vancouver. He will be eligible to compete for the slalom and giant slalom. (Slalom is an alpine skiing discipline that involves skiing in between poles in a zigzag motion.)
Nkurumah – Acheampong hasn’t had it easy. He has admitted to people refusing to believe that Africans can ski. With people often staring and shouting, ‘Here comes the strange man.’ But that hasn't detered the African Champ.
Well even if you have never had an interest in the Winter Olympics, now you have a reason to tune in in 2010 and cheer on our African champ as he goes for the gold!
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