By Jacob Ajom
Before the start of the 10th All Africa Games in Mozambique, Blessing Okagbare was in Daegu with the rest of her compatriots to compete for honours for Nigeria. Blessing who has become Nigeria’s queen of the tracks, was still recovering from a surgery, when she competed at the Worlds Athletics Championships. Even at the Maputo Games, she told Saturday Sports Vanguard that she was yet to regain her full fitness.

In this chat with Jacob Ajom, who is covering the Games for Sports Vanguard, Okagbare said she almost turned down the urge to compete in the long jump event at the Maputo Games because of a hamstring injury.

Okagbare

She also relayed her experience in Maputo and why she agreed to compete in the women’s long jump event that fetched Nigeria a gold medal. Excerpts:

How do you feel winning the gold medal in the long jump event even though the jump was definitely not your best.

I am hurt. I have a hamstring. I did not want to jump in the first place but after much persuasion I agreed to jump. I had to do it for the love of my country, I feared we might lose that gold medal and for my fans in particular.

What  have you learnt from the Maputo Games?

I have learnt a lot. The Games have made me develop a strong mental capacity and to remain focused in my career. I just have to put these virtues into my career. I will need a coach who can see these qualities in me make me become a better athlete.

You have changed coaches twice since last year. Has this affected you in any way?

I switched coaches but that is athletics. Apart from switching coaches I had a surgery. I was happy I did it. I am proud of myself and I owe nobody any apology.

In Daegu I ran among the best in the world. Before the final, I had run 11 secs and was to compete among those who had posted better times like 10.08. It was not easy coming out of injury to do better than I did. I finished fifth in the final. I don’t think that was too bad. I just have to work harder. I am committed to my career.

When I go out to compete I don’t see myself as inferior to any other athlete. I believe in God and the Bible says ‘the race is not always won by the swiftest but the one whom God blesses. I draw  a lot of inspiration from the Bible

The London 2012 Olympics is just a few months away. What are your expectations?

I am looking forward to the Olympics for so many reasons. I want to reaffirm my place in world athletics at the London Games. I want to try the jumps and do the sprints. I just want to win.