Emmanuel Eseme’s extraordinary rise from footballer to elite sprinter reached its greatest milestone as the Cameroonian claimed the Commonwealth Games men’s 100 metres title in a Games record of 9.83 seconds.

The 32-year-old, who only switched from football to athletics at the age of 24, delivered a stunning performance in Glasgow to break the long-standing Commonwealth Games record of 9.88 seconds set by Trinidad and Tobago’s Ato Boldon in 1998.

Eseme’s victory made history on multiple fronts. He became the first Cameroonian to win the Commonwealth men’s 100m title, set a new national record, and moved to third on the all-time African 100m list with his 9.83-second run. It also earned Cameroon its first athletics medal at the Commonwealth Games since Melbourne 2006.

Racing in wet conditions, Eseme recovered from an average start with a powerful finish to surge past the field and secure one of the biggest victories of his career.

“I knew if I executed my race, I would catch them at the end,” Eseme said after claiming gold.

The triumph caps an inspirational journey for the sprinter, whose decision to leave football for athletics eight years ago has transformed him into one of Africa’s fastest men and a Commonwealth Games champion. (Arise News)