Ivorian beats Ighalo, Iwobi to Most Handsome African Athlete title

In a groundbreaking study merging beauty and sports, Wilfried Zaha, the Côte d’Ivoire and Galatasaray winger who is on loan at French club Lyon, has been crowned the most handsome African athlete of 2024. The rankings, determined using the golden ratio, offer an intriguing take on the intersection of aesthetics and athleticism.

The most handsome African athlete study, conducted by analysts from Bettors.co.za, used the mathematical principles of the golden ratio to measure facial attractiveness. This ancient standard, often associated with classical art and architecture, evaluates facial symmetry and proportions to gauge beauty. With an average score of 8.02, Zaha claimed the top spot, beating a host of athletes from various sports across the continent.

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Trailing close behind the Ivorian are Nigerian footballer Odion Ighalo, with a score of 7.9, South African sprinter Akani Simbine, who scored 7.56, and Ighalo’s former Super Eagles teammate, Alex Iwobi, with a score of 7.51.

A Blend of Data and Design

To ensure accuracy, the researchers employed cutting-edge machine learning techniques, analysing three high-quality images per athlete. These images were meticulously selected from official archives, media outlets, and verified profiles, guaranteeing clarity and reliability.

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Using tools like OpenCV and MTCNN, the model assessed facial proportions, focusing on symmetry and alignment to calculate each athlete’s average golden ratio score. Only high-resolution images were included in the analysis, ensuring that the results reflected genuine facial features without distortion.

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