Rwandan golfer Melissa Ishimwe Akanigi expressed delight after Guinness World Records confirmed her achievement of completing the fastest unassisted round of golf, finishing 18 holes in 52 minutes and 11 seconds. The record, set at Rwanda’s SSB 18-hole course in May, required her to play without any assistance—no caddy, no cart, and no support with equipment or refreshments. Guinness officially validated the record on Friday, September 12. Speaking to Times Sport, Akanigi reflected on the hard work she put into breaking the record. “I had to carry my own bag and run the course alone. By God’s grace and months of training, I did it in 52 minutes and 11 seconds. That’s why it’s a world record, it wasn’t easy at all,” she noted. Akanigi began preparations in December and said her journey involved training, recovering from injuries, and personal sacrifices. “Breaking a world record takes a lot of dedication and passion. What started as a New Year’s resolution quickly became much bigger, about my country, my community, and women and girls everywhere,” she said. She described the achievement as a message of inspiration. “Too often we wait for validation to pursue our dreams, but the truth is our dreams are valid. With discipline, confidence, and a clear purpose, you’ll be surprised how far you can go,” she said. Akanigi also expressed gratitude to the Rwandan government for its encouragement, noting that the minister of sports attended her record attempt. “I’m deeply grateful for the government’s support. But having a record alone is not enough, it requires partnerships. Records like mine prove the talent and determination already here in Rwanda. With more investment in sports infrastructure and training, especially for women, we can achieve even more on the global stage,” she said.
