Nigeria Judoka, Michael Agbo has described his gold medal at the just concluded 2023 African Judo Open as a miracle.
Nigeria Judoka, Michael Agbo won a gold medal in his first International outing at the 2023 African Judo Open in Niamey, Niger Republic.
Agbo defeated fellow countryman Kehinde Aremu in the final of the men’s -66kg category on Sunday. The 2022 National Sports Festival Champion revealed to www.aclsports.com that he competed in one of the strongest categories in the world.
He said, “Before I say anything, I have to thank God Almighty for giving me the grace because it’s not by my power. I am super excited about winning a gold medal in the African championship, especially being my first time attending an African championship and eventually becoming an African champion.
“Words alone cannot express how I feel right now, especially because I competed in one of the toughest categories in the world.”
“I do not know whether to say it’s a miracle or destiny because in that category it happened too soon“, he told www.aclsports.com
Agbo said, “I was in a lower category just last year. In May, I came up to 66kg in the just concluded championship in Abraka and placed second which was a tough final because I competed against my National Sports Festival teammate who was the current champion.
“I was very nervous; it wasn’t easy at all. My opponents were all bigger, muscularly built than I am, and heavier than me as well. They have been competing in that weight category, settled and comfortable”.
Due to his constant non appearance at International Champion, Agbo said he did not train for the African Open for fears of not making the national team.
He said, “To be honest, I did not prepare for this championship specifically because I never knew we would be attending the championship. After the championship in Abraka, I did not get a chance to train again.
“When the journey came up, I began to do little work out which can never be enough because my tank cannot be empty and with my kind of mind for competing and winning. To my greatest surprise, I found myself in the finals with my teammate again after four bouts.”
Ahead of next year’s African Games, the promising Judoka said, “Replicating this performance at the forthcoming African Games in Ghana is what I wish for. Training continues and I hope we will have more opportunities to attend more tournaments like this for further preparations.”
