Eugene Amo-Dadzie is the world’s fastest accountant! British sprinter realised he was rapid when he ran for the bus… and his career rocketed after shock 9.93sec run in June

Hungary is a holiday for Eugene Amo-Dadzie. “I’m here on annual leave,” reveals the 31-year-old. ‘Tuesday, August 29, I report back to work.’

That work is as a senior management accountant for London real estate developer Berkeley. But before returning to his full-time job, Amo-Dadzie will enjoy his holiday in Budapest – and the small matter of running the 100 meters for Great Britain at the World Championships.

One week the blocks, the next week the books. It’s an extraordinary story, especially when you consider that Amo-Dadzie took up athletics just five years ago and is already fourth on the list of all-time British sprinters after clocking 9.93 seconds in June.

“There’s an element of my journey that doesn’t make sense,” admits the self-proclaimed fastest accountant in the world. ‘It doesn’t make much sense. It is very rare, very unique.

“But I want people to look at it, be inspired by it, and know it’s never too late. If I, as a family man, as a chartered accountant, as a primary school principal, can do what I did, why can’t you? We always find reasons why we can do things. I want my journey to show that it’s possible.’

In March he competed for the first time for Great Britain in the European Indoor Championships

That journey began in Walthamstow, East London, where Amo-Dadzie first discovered he was fast by accident. “I was sitting between bus stops one day — there was maybe 100 yards between the two,” he begins.

“I walked past the first bus stop and then I heard the bus coming. I turned and saw it blow past the first bus stop.

“I was like, ‘I have to catch this bus.’ So schoolbag on, loafers on, I just started running for this bus. There was a child who smiled or laughed and thought, “This child is not going to make it.”

“I remember catching up to this bus, getting on, going to the back of the bus, sitting down, and the boy was just standing there with his mouth open like, ‘Oh my God.’ Then I realized how fast I was.’

Despite competing for high school, athletics largely passed Amo-Dadzie. He never joined a club and instead focused on fulfilling his academic potential rather than his athletic one.

“My parents came from a West African, Ghanaian household and really hammered on academics, academics, academics,” explains Amo-Dadzie, whose mother was a social worker and father a London Underground worker.

‘I found myself a person who loved numbers and did A-levels maths and economics. I went to the University of Nottingham and studied finance and accounting.

‘I got my degree, finished university, started working for a company, got a training contract, became a chartered accountant, so that was pretty much the path. That was me. I also played soccer a bit recreationally.’

It was actually while playing football in the summer of 2018 that “God flipped a switch” in Amo-Dadzie’s head. On their way home from a match in East London with his lifelong friend, they stumbled upon an athletics meeting at a local circuit.

The 31-year-old is Europe’s second-fastest man this year after his run of 9.93 seconds in June

“The 100 meters was on and I think someone won in 11.3 seconds,” he recalled. My buddy turned to me and said, “You were fast at school, why didn’t you ever try this thing?”. At that moment I thought: “What do I have to lose?”.

“The goal or ambition then was just, ‘Okay, do a little formal training.’ That was the only expectation I had when I started. That was winter 2018 and thank God I’m here now, the world’s fastest accountant, about to be on the world stage.’

Not only is he the fastest accountant in the world, he is also the second fastest man in Europe this year, after his teammate Zharnel Hughes, and the 17th fastest in the world.

Amo-Dadzie made his first appearance for his country at the European Indoor Championships in Istanbul in March. But his career has gained momentum since that shocking 9.93 second run in Graz, Austria at the start of the outdoor season.

“I would definitely say my life has changed after running under 10 in Austria,” admits Amo-Dadzie, who finished third behind Hughes and Reece Prescod at last month’s British trials.

“I am not one who is used to talking to the media all the time. I now have an agent. I have people who have recognized me in certain places. Taking pictures. It’s really cool, I embrace it all, but I keep both feet on the ground.’

Amo-Dadzie is grateful to his employers for letting him realize his job talent. “I still work full time, but they have a contract that requires me to train and make up the hours,” he says. “That has been huge.

“Most of my training group are full-time — they’ll be in Lee Valley four times a week. Due to my work commitments, I am going twice, namely Tuesday and Friday. Monday and Thursday I train alone in the evening after work. I am always on top of my workload. I never slip behind. But sometimes it’s a difficult balance.’

Amo-Dadzie also has to balance taking care of his two-year-old daughter and being a school administrator. But while his added responsibilities help put sprinting into perspective, that doesn’t mean he’s just going on a ‘holiday’ in Hungary to make up the numbers.

“Success is the simple fact that I once had the courage to give my talent to God to do this,” he adds. “But does this mean I have no expectations and ambition going into the championships? No, it doesn’t mean that.

He continues to work full-time as a chartered accountant, in line with his education

“I have already raced against the fastest man in the world (Hughes). I’ve seen him, I’ve felt him. I don’t have to go into the championships with any fear because the man who is the fastest in the world this year is right in my backyard.

“I’m super relaxed, super comfortable, super confident. I understand that bigger picture, in terms of perspective. Just sitting here talking to you guys is already winning me over. Much more important and significant things happen in my real life than on the track.

“But we are in a sport where we are judged by the time, the medals. You won’t get any big bold claims from me. But I’m going to go out, put my best foot forward and I’m going to entertain. I’m going to have some fun.’

And they say accountants are boring.