Defending champion William Amponsah has withdrawn from the 2nd edition of the Asante Akyem Mrathon due to a "worrying knee".

The teenager was due to make a return  to Agogo to compete in the very tournament that brought him to limelight.

His announcement comes in less than 24 hours before the commencement of the 42 kilometer race, despite arriving at the Agogo early Sunday morning.

"I'm not running tomorrow,my knee is worrying me, he said in an interview with ghanaguardian.com.

I'v arrived Agogo this morning but I'm not here for race.

"The race is now full 42 kilometers and I don't look fit for it now.

Amponsah had confirmed his preparedness to run the Asante Akyem race after contesting the Nkawkaw marathon on Saturday.

The 18 year old revealed  that his preparation towards the tournament had been marred with injuries and therefore he had used the Nkawkaw race to test his "endurance".

But in his eleventh hour withdrawal, Amponsah revealed he his going to compete more in track events, but added ""I want to run a proper marathon from next year going."

"I'm not running any marathon this year, he said.

"I'll run half marathons or focuse on the track events and the cross countries.

William Amponsah won the first edition of the Asante Akyem Marathon, which was  a 20km race within the clocked 1:12:14

He was tipped to add  stardust to Monday's showpiece and his absence means there is a new champion in the waiting.

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Asante Akyem Marathon Challenge is to help promote long distance and marathon running in the northern part of Ghana and also provide another opportunity for our athletes aside the  Accra Marathon.

It is a national open Marathon Run for both men and women to be staged in Agogo in the Ashanti Region.

The event is being organized by former Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North, Kwadwo Baah Agyemang.

The race to be run on Easter Monday(2ndApril)  will start from Oyoko, near Effiduase through Wonoo, the historic town of Kumawu into Agogo.

By:Fiifi Abdul Malik/ghanaguardian.com