Eseme won gold at a sodden EDF Scotstoun Stadium on Tuesday, setting a Games and national record of 9.83 seconds in the final, which featured five African competitors, to claim Cameroon’s first medal of the Games.

"I feel in the past a lot of people didn’t really believe in African sprinting," the 32-year-old said.

"The discipline that really prevailed in Africa was the long endurance races with athletes from Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda.

"But nowadays, we have people in front of us in the short distances like South Africa’s Akani Simbine, who is someone who really inspired me in the world of sprinting.

"We also have (2022 Commonwealth Games 100m champion and African record holder) Ferdinand Omanyala (KEN) and (Paris 2024 Olympic Games 200m champion) Letsile Tebogo (BOT).

"All these people have served as an inspiration, not just to the younger generation, but also to people like me who believe that sprinting and speed is not just for other nations but for African nations as well."

A late arrival in elite sport, Eseme’s sprinting prowess was only spotted while he was playing football at university, where he was studying environmental engineering.

Nine years later, life has changed beyond recognition.

The two-time Olympian will start his bid for a sprint double in Thursday’s 200m semi-finals. But, whatever happens, the Cameroonian believes his 100m medal is simply another step on his journey.

"I have way more ambition and I know I can do better," Eseme (pictured, in red) said.

"I feel I only got to the big stage in 2023 and I believe I have a long way to go and I have a lot more to give."

Proud to inspire others

Back in Cameroon, Eseme’s gold medal was cheered on by those involved in his sporting foundation (the Eseme Alobwede Foundation) set up to help youngsters develop through sport.

"I'm very proud to be an inspiration because it has always been my dream to help others and help the younger ones to grow," Eseme said.

"With my foundation I motivate and inspire the younger generation to get into sport because we are very talented in that region and a lot of people can benefit from it.

"This medal serves as confirmation of all the work I have been doing with my foundation."

As well as Eseme’s passion for sport, his commitment to campaigning for the health of the planet is clear to see.

"I’m very conscious about what's happening in my country when I see how many people are ignorant when it comes to waste management and waste disposal," he said.

"I feel like we can do more. I want to be that person who can help my country, not just in waste management, but also in preserving the environment.

"It makes me a better human being because having those environmental aspects in my head makes me a little bit different from other competitors.

"I go into competitions with my own (drink) bottle and I try to reduce waste from plastic bottles. I always try to do things to show how important the environment is to me."