1. Overview
Emmanuel Matadi, born on April 15, 1991, in Monrovia, Liberia, is a prominent Liberian sprinter who has represented his nation in multiple international athletic competitions, including three Olympic Games and numerous World Athletics Championships. His career highlights include winning a bronze medal in the 200 meters at the 2016 African Championships in Athletics and another bronze in the 4 × 100 meters relay at the 2023 African Games. Matadi's journey from a war-torn Liberia to a collegiate and professional athlete in the United States exemplifies the positive impact of sports on personal growth and national pride, as he consistently serves as a flag bearer and an inspiring figure for Liberian athletics.
2. Early Life and Background
Emmanuel Matadi's formative years were shaped by his origins in Liberia and his subsequent relocation to the United States, where he began his athletic journey.
2.1. Birth and Childhood
Emmanuel Matadi was born on April 15, 1991, in Monrovia, Liberia. His early childhood was spent in his home country.
2.2. Migration to the United States
Due to the impact of the Liberian Civil War, Matadi and his family relocated to the United States when he was seven years old. This move significantly influenced his upbringing and the trajectory of his life.
2.3. Education and High School Career
Matadi attended Johnson Senior High School in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Initially, he focused on American football. However, during his sophomore year, he began to seriously pursue track and field. His dedication quickly paid off, as he became the Minnesota State High School League Class AA boys' 100 meters champion in 2009 during his senior year.
2.4. Collegiate Career
Following his high school success, Matadi continued his athletic and academic pursuits at the collegiate level. He first attended the University of Louisville before transferring to Minnesota State University, Mankato. At Minnesota State University, Matadi achieved significant success, winning national titles in both the 100 meters and 200 meters at the NCAA Division II championships in May 2015.
3. Athletic Career
Emmanuel Matadi's athletic career spans from his collegiate achievements to his representation of Liberia on the global stage, marked by numerous international appearances and national records.
3.1. International Debut and Early Competitions
Matadi became eligible to compete for Liberia internationally on June 11, 2016. Approximately ten days later, he made his debut representing Liberia at the 2016 African Championships in Athletics in Durban, South Africa. In this competition, he reached the final of the 100 meters, finishing fifth with a time of 10.24 seconds. He also advanced to the 200 meters final, where he secured a bronze medal with a time of 20.55 seconds, placing behind Wayde van Niekerk and Adama Jammeh.
3.2. Major International Competitions
Matadi has been a consistent presence at major global and continental athletic events, showcasing his talent and representing Liberia.
3.2.1. Olympic Games
Matadi has participated in three consecutive Olympic Games, serving as a national representative and flag bearer for Liberia.
He made his Olympic debut at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. During the opening ceremony, he had the distinct honor of being the flag bearer for the Liberian delegation. In the competition, he ran the 100 meters, finishing his heat in 10.31 seconds, and the 200 meters, where he set a Liberian national record of 20.49 seconds, though he did not advance past the heats in either event.
Matadi continued his Olympic journey at the 2020 Summer Olympics (held in 2021) in Tokyo, Japan, competing in the 100 meters, where he finished his heat in 10.25 seconds.
He returned for his third Olympic appearance at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. For the second time in his career, Matadi served as a flag bearer for Liberia, sharing the honor with Thelma Davies. In Paris, he competed in the 100 meters, reaching the semifinals with a time of 10.18 seconds, and also participated in the 4 × 100 meters relay, where the Liberian team finished 15th in their heat with a time of 38.97 seconds.
3.2.2. World Athletics Championships
Matadi has consistently competed at the World Athletics Championships, advancing to the semifinals in the 100 meters on multiple occasions.
At the 2017 World Championships in Athletics in London, United Kingdom, he was one of three African athletes to reach the semifinals of the 100 meters, finishing with a time of 10.20 seconds. He continued his participation at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, where he again reached the 100 meters semifinals, recording a time of 10.28 seconds.
In 2022, Matadi competed at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, United States, where he made it to the 100 meters semifinals, finishing 10th with a time of 10.12 seconds. He also participated in the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, reaching the 100 meters semifinals with a time of 10.04 seconds. In 2024, he competed at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, United Kingdom, where he reached the 60 meters semifinals, finishing 10th with a time of 6.58 seconds.
3.2.3. African Championships in Athletics
Beyond his debut, Matadi has achieved further success at the African Championships and African Games.
In addition to his 200 meters bronze medal at the 2016 African Championships, he competed at the 2022 African Championships in Athletics in Port Louis, Mauritius, finishing 6th in the 100 meters with a time of 10.08 seconds.
At the 2023 African Games in Accra, Ghana, Matadi earned another bronze medal as part of the Liberian 4 × 100 meters relay team, which finished with a time of 38.73 seconds. He also participated in the 2024 African Championships in Athletics in Douala, Cameroon, where the 4 × 100 meters relay team finished 3rd in their heat with a time of 40.00 seconds.
3.2.4. International Competition Results
| Year | Competition | Location | Event | Result | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | African Championships | Durban, South Africa | 100 m | 5th | 10.24 (w) | |
| 200 m | 3rd | 20.55 | ||||
| Olympic Games | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 100 m | 43rd (h) | 10.31 | ||
| 200 m | 30th (h) | 20.49 | ||||
| 2017 | World Championships | London, United Kingdom | 100 m | 14th (sf) | 10.20 | |
| 2019 | World Championships | Doha, Qatar | 100 m | 23rd (sf) | 10.28 | |
| 2021 | Olympic Games | Tokyo, Japan | 100 m | 35th (h) | 10.25 | |
| 2022 | African Championships | Port Louis, Mauritius | 100 m | 6th | 10.08 | |
| World Championships | Eugene, United States | 100 m | 10th (sf) | 10.12 | ||
| 2023 | World Championships | Budapest, Hungary | 100 m | 11th (sf) | 10.04 | |
| 2024 | World Indoor Championships | Glasgow, United Kingdom | 60 m | 10th (sf) | 6.58 | |
| African Games | Accra, Ghana | 4 × 100 m relay | 3rd | 38.73 | ||
| African Championships | Douala, Cameroon | 4 × 100 m relay | 3rd (h) | 40.00 | ||
| Olympic Games | Paris, France | 100 m | 26th (sf) | 10.18 | ||
| 4 × 100 m relay | 15th (h) | 38.97 |
3.3. Personal Bests and National Records
Emmanuel Matadi holds several personal bests and national records for Liberia in various sprint events.
| Event | Time | Wind (m/s) | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor | |||||
| 100 meters | 9.91 | +1.2 | 2024 | Gainesville, FL | National Record |
| 100 meters | 9.93 | +2.8 | 2017-06-13 | San Marcos, TX | Wind-assisted |
| 200 meters | 20.07 | +2.0 | 2023-04-01 | Austin, TX | |
| 400 meters | 46.30 | 2022-03-19 | San Antonio, TX | ||
| Indoor | |||||
| 60 meters | 6.52 | 2022-02-12 | Louisville, KY | National Record | |
| 200 meters | 21.13 | 2016-02-12 | Albuquerque, NM | ||
His 20.49 seconds performance in the 200 meters at the 2016 Rio Olympics was a former Liberian national record, which has since been surpassed by his personal best of 20.07 seconds.
3.4. Annual Best Performances
The following table details Emmanuel Matadi's best performances in the 100 meters and 200 meters annually.
| Year | 100m | Wind (m/s) | Notes | 200m | Wind (m/s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 22.38 | -2.3 | ||||
| 2009 | 10.75 | +1.8 | 21.57 | +4.1 | Wind-assisted | |
| 2010 | 10.62 | +1.6 | 21.96 | -2.8 | ||
| 2011 | 10.57 | +0.8 | 21.89 | -1.3 | ||
| 2012 | 10.80 | +1.9 | 21.48 | +1.4 | ||
| 2013 | 10.52 | +0.5 | 21.63 | +1.7 | ||
| 2014 | 10.35 | +0.3 | 21.06 | +2.2 | Wind-assisted | |
| 2015 | 10.41 | +0.8 | 20.54 | 0.0 | ||
| 2016 | 10.14 | +1.1 | 20.44 | +0.9 | Former Liberian record | |
| 2017 | 10.18 | +1.8 | 21.04 | -2.7 | ||
| 2018 | 10.29 | +3.2 | Wind-assisted | |||
| 2019 | 10.01 | +1.8 | 20.62 | -0.9 | ||
| 2020 | ||||||
| 2021 | 10.01 | +1.9 | 20.44 | +1.5 | ||
| 2022 | 9.98 | +1.1 | 20.33 | +1.5 | ||
| 2023 | 9.97 | -0.1 | Former Liberian record | 20.07 | +2.0 | Personal best |
| 2024 | 9.91 | +1.2 | Liberian record |
4. Other Activities
Beyond his primary athletic career, Emmanuel Matadi has explored other ventures.
4.1. WWE Tryout
In December 2018, Emmanuel Matadi participated in a tryout with WWE, a prominent American professional wrestling organization.
5. Assessment and Impact
Emmanuel Matadi's career has been marked by significant achievements and a notable impact on Liberian athletics, establishing him as a key figure in the nation's sports landscape.
5.1. Career Achievements
Matadi's career achievements include multiple appearances at the Olympic Games, where he served as a flag bearer for Liberia in 2016 and 2024. He has consistently reached the semifinals of the 100 meters at the World Athletics Championships, showcasing his ability to compete at the highest level. His medal collection includes a bronze in the 200 meters at the 2016 African Championships and a bronze in the 4 × 100 meters relay at the 2023 African Games. Furthermore, he holds Liberian national records in both the 100 meters and 60 meters, solidifying his place as one of Liberia's fastest sprinters.
5.2. Impact on Liberian Athletics
Emmanuel Matadi has had a profound impact on Liberian athletics, serving as a national symbol and a source of inspiration. His consistent presence on the international stage, particularly at the Olympic Games, has significantly raised the profile of track and field in Liberia. By competing against the world's best and achieving notable results, he has demonstrated the potential for Liberian athletes to succeed globally. Matadi's journey, from a child displaced by war to an Olympic athlete, serves as a powerful testament to perseverance and dedication, inspiring future generations of Liberian youth to pursue their athletic dreams and fostering national pride through sports.