“What defines beauty? When do I feel most confident in my own skin? And I’m I truly beautiful?”
These are questions that resonate deeply with many female athletes, questions that echo in the moments of reflection after a rigorous practice session.
In Africa, sports have long been perceived as a predominantly male domain, creating additional barriers to female participation. Moreover, female athletes often face pressure to conform to narrow standards of femininity, challenging their sense of identity and self-worth.
According to ESPNW, a staggering 68 percent of female athletes feel compelled to conform to conventional beauty standards, with 30 percent expressing concerns about appearing “too muscular.” These statistics underscore the pervasive influence of societal expectations on female athletes’ perceptions of beauty and body image.
Navigating between the demands of athletic performance and societal norms can be daunting for many female athletes. They have to grapple with the dichotomy of celebrating their strength and athleticism while feeling pressure to conform to traditional ideals of femininity.
Unfortunately, the fashion and beauty industries often overlook African female athletes as potential beauty role models, perpetuating the misconception that athleticism and style are mutually exclusive. However, this narrative is being challenged by a new wave of African female athletes who are redefining beauty standards and reshaping perceptions within the sports world.
These trailblazing women are not only excelling in their respective fields but also challenging societal norms by embracing their unique styles and personal expressions. By celebrating their athleticism and embracing their individuality, they are inspiring a generation of young girls to embrace their own strengths and redefine beauty on their own terms.
Let’s take a closer look at these incredible athletes and how they are reshaping beauty standards by simply being themselves.
Marie Josée Ta Lou
Marie-Josée Ta Lou is a sprinter from Côte d’Ivoire who is making waves across Africa and is poised to transform the continent’s sprinting history forever. For over a decade, Ta Lou has been a consistent force in international sprinting, earning her a reputation as one of Africa’s top athletes.
Her career highlights include winning two silver medals at the 2017 World Championships, though she narrowly missed out on medals at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo Olympics. In the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Ta Lou remained undefeated in nine 100m races, attracting significant attention.
In addition to her sporting prowess, Marie stands out for her impeccable style off the track. She confidently sports neat locs, natural makeup, and elegant outfits, showcasing her athletic curves and charisma. Away from the racetrack, the sprinter’s fierce personality and stunning appearance make her a trendsetter and a role model for many.
Michelle Alozie
Michelle Alozie is an exceptional Nigerian-American footballer who gained recognition at the 2023 Women’s World Cup as part of the Super Falcons’ strong defense.
Born in Apple Valley, California, to Nigerian parents from Imo State, Alozie’s journey from working as a cancer research technician to becoming a rising star on the soccer field is truly remarkable.
She has gained recognition on social media not only for her outstanding performances on the field but also for her beauty. The football player is known for her signature braids, natural beauty, and confidence. She is often seen wearing cute crop tops that show off her toned physique.
Despite being a dedicated athlete, Alozie blends her sporting career with her personal style. She’s a queen we all admire!
Favour Ofili
If you scroll through Favour Ofili’s social media, you might be surprised to learn that this stylish, beautiful woman is actually an incredible athlete. At the 2024 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston on February 4, 2024, she made history by breaking both the national and African records in the women’s 300m event.
With an impressive time of 35.99 seconds, Ofili shattered the previous record of 36.33 seconds set by Amantle Montsho over 14 years ago. Her outstanding performance now ranks her as the 10th fastest woman in history for this distance.
It’s amazing to see Ofili excel both on and off the track. Go, girl!
Bassant Hemida
Bassant Hemida achieved a major milestone in her athletic career when she secured a gold medal in the women’s 200-meter race at the Fanny Blankers-Koen Games in 2023. Not only did she win the race, but she also set a new national record with a time of 22.41 seconds, highlighting her exceptional speed and talent.
In addition to her success at the Fanny Blankers-Koen Games, Hemida’s winning streak continued at the Mediterranean Games in 2022. There, she made history by earning gold medals in both the 100-meter and 200-meter races, becoming the first Egyptian athlete to achieve gold in the 100-meter sprint.
The athlete’s accomplishments are made even more impressive by her poise and grace, often seen with her perfectly styled bun while competing. Her achievements have not only put her in the spotlight as a top sprinter but have also led to her being chosen as an ambassador for the United Nations global initiative Generation Unlimited in Egypt, known locally as Shabab Balad.
Christine Ohuruogu
Christine Ohuruogu made a memorable entrance onto the global athletics stage with her remarkable performances in the 400m race. It all began with her victory in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006, where she clinched the gold medal. She continued to impress, securing a world title in Osaka in 2007.
Her crowning achievement came in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, where she displayed her trademark late surge to claim the gold medal in the 400m race. Adding to her accolades, she also secured a bronze medal in the 4x400m relay event.
In a surprising turn of events, Christine was later awarded a bronze medal retrospectively for her participation in the 4×400 meter relay squad, despite initially finishing fifth. This recognition came after the disqualification of two other teams, and the medal was presented to the quartet at the London Anniversary Games in 2018.
Her achievements continued with another individual gold and relay silver at the 2013 World Championships, along with a European Indoor 4x400m relay gold in the same year. Two years later, Christine secured her eighth World Championship medal.
At the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Christine showcased her enduring talent by winning a bronze medal and running the final leg of the 4x400m relay.
Beyond her athletic prowess, Christine is also known for her distinctive pigtails and radiant smile. Her long hair always appears impeccably groomed, leaving many curious about her hair care secrets.
Ese Brume
Ese Brume continues to hold her title as Africa’s long jump queen, leaving a lasting legacy after defending her African Games title in Ghana. She began the competition with an impressive first jump of 6.92m (+3.9m/s), a distance that none of her competitors could match.
By achieving this, Brume became only the second Nigerian woman to defend a long jump title in the history of the African Games, following in the footsteps of Modupe Oshikoya in 1973 and 1978. Although Brume’s jump would have set a new record, the high wind speed prevented it from being officially recognized.
Brume’s exceptional performance in the jumps, consistently producing outstanding and headline-worthy distances, is mirrored by her sense of style. She is not only a talented athlete but also a style enthusiast known for her striking dark lipsticks and beautiful native hairstyles such as Bantu knots and cornrows.
Off the field, the athlete’s confidence in her beauty and strength shines through. She carries herself with pride, showing that one can excel in sports while still expressing personal style and grace.
Tuedon Morgan
Tuedon “Tee” Omatsola Morgan from Nigeria recently achieved a remarkable feat by earning a Guinness World Records title for the fastest time to run a half marathon on each continent for a female athlete. She completed seven races in an astounding 10 days, 23 hours, 37 minutes, and 8 seconds.
At 42 years old, Morgan ran seven half marathons on different continents in the following order: Carlton Classic Half Marathon in Australia, Abu Dhabi Striders Half Marathon in the United Arab Emirates, and Torcy International Half Marathon in Europe.
The list also includes The Carthage Race Half Marathon in Africa, Lincoln’s Birthday Half Marathon in North America, the Southern Cross Half Marathon in South America, and the Penguin Half Marathon in Antarctica.
Additionally, the sprinter set a new record for the fastest time to complete a half marathon on each continent and the North Pole for a female athlete in just 62 days, 12 hours, 58 minutes, and 49 seconds.
Professionally, Morgan is an accountant and a mother of four boys who are all living in Qatar. Her journey toward breaking these records began with a desire to transform her unhealthy lifestyle and her relationship with food. Morgan’s passion for health and wellness extends beyond running marathons; she prioritizes living a healthy life and encouraging others to do the same.
During her marathons, the mom-of-four usually raises funds for the National Black Marathoners Association, which promotes track and field activities among Black youth and provides scholarships to college students.
She also co-founded a group called Women Encouraging Women, which supports women in living healthier lives. Morgan’s dedication to fitness, health, and community service is truly inspiring.
Tobi Amusan
Oluwatobiloba Ayomide “Tobi” Amusan OON, born on April 23, 1997, is a Nigerian track and field athlete known for her exceptional skills in the 100-meter hurdles and sprinting.
Amusan made history as the current world record holder in the 100-meter hurdles, achieving a remarkable time of 12.12 seconds during the 2022 women’s 100-meter hurdles semi-final in Eugene, Oregon.
She holds numerous titles, including Commonwealth and African champion in the 100-meter hurdles, as well as meet record holder in these competitions.
Amusan made history by becoming the first Nigerian world champion and world record holder in athletics, clinching the gold medal at the 2022 World Championships with a record-setting time of 12.12 seconds in the semi-final, followed by 12.06 seconds in the final.
Additionally, she has secured back-to-back Commonwealth and African titles in 2018 and 2022 in the 100-meter hurdles and is a two-time African Games champion in the same event. Amusan’s dominance extends to the Diamond League, where she is the current champion in the 100-meter hurdles, achieving a winning streak in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
This trailblazer doesn’t shy away from showing off her beauty and playing with dress-up on Instagram. In April 2023, she posted beautiful photos of herself on social media, confidently highlighting her stunning appearance and humorously commenting that money is the only thing she’s missing.
Her posts capture the essence of her self-assured nature and demonstrate that she combines her exceptional athletic abilities with her natural charm and elegance.
Almaz Ayana
Almaz Ayana, an Ethiopian long-distance runner, gained international recognition in 2016 when she broke the world record in the women’s 10,000 meters at the Rio Olympics.
Her remarkable performance amazed onlookers as she surpassed the previous record by an incredible 14 seconds. Ayana’s extraordinary achievements on the track and her relentless drive have reshaped long-distance running and inspired a new wave of female athletes.
On the track, Ayana is known for her meticulously styled cornrows, maintaining a fresh appearance at all times. Off the track, she continues to impress with her stunning beauty, often dressing up in elegant outfits.
Tirunesh Dibaba
Tirunesh Dibaba, known as the “Baby-Faced Destroyer,” is a long-distance runner who consistently proves her strength and determination on the track.
With three Olympic gold medals to her name, the Ethiopian athlete is the reigning world and Olympic champion in the 10,000 meters. Dibaba’s success can be partly attributed to her upbringing in the high-altitude Arsi Zone in the Oromia Region, which helped shape her exceptional athletic abilities.
Dibaba has represented her country at the Summer Olympic Games in 2004, 2008, and 2012, earning a reputation as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
Her youthful appearance and petite frame might lead some to underestimate her, but the talented athlete demonstrates that one’s size, face, or body shape does not define their potential or capability.
Through her achievements, she serves as an inspiration to others, proving that determination and skill can overcome any perceived limitations.
