Maxwell Amponsah to lead Ghana at Olympic Games opening ceremony

Heavyweight boxer Maxwell Amponsah has been appointed as the flag bearer for Team Ghana at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games on Friday, 27th July, 2012.

Ghana will be among a host of nations who will be taking part in the parade that will officially usher in London’s hosting of the most prestigious sports in the world in front of a worldwide audience.

According to officials of the Ghana Olympic Committee, Amponsah, 25, was chosen to lead Ghana’s team at the ceremony due to his good leadership qualities and his dedication to the country.

The Seconds-Out Boxing Gym boxer only recovered in time for the Olympic Games after breaking his jaw during the African Olympic Boxing qualifiers in Morocco earlier this year.

Amponsah, who is making his debut appearance at the Olympic Games, has been competing for the country since 2008, winning a bronze medal at the 2011 All African Games in Maputo, Mozambique. He also doubles as the team leader of the national boxing team, the Black Bombers.

The Black Wolf, as he is affectionately called, started Boxing in 2004 after joining the Jah Bless Boxing Gym in Mamprobi.

Previously a national Taekwondo athlete, Maxwell shifted his interest to boxing after watching a bout between Oscar De la Hoya and Bernard Hopkins. According to him, he felt Boxing was a new area to explore, to bring honor to himself and the country.