I’m Not Afraid Of Bolt

Jamaica’s sprint sensation and fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt may be doing 9secs or so at the moment, but Nigeria’s fastest man, Obinna Metu told ADEBOBOLA ALAWODE in this interview that he is not scared of the Jamaican if they meet at London Olympic Games

Metu, you succeeded in reclaiming your 100m title from Ogho-Oghene Egwero, what ‘s the secret?

I will say it’s God’s doing and hardwork with resilience. I told myself after missing the last edition due to my programmes that I must reclaim my title this year and thank goodness, I did it now that we are getting set for the Olympics.

Were you not scared going into the race knowing that you were going to race against the best legs in the country?

Scared? That word is not in my dictionary…(laughs heartilly). I don’t go into races with fear. I enter races knowing that every athlete is as good as winning the race until the end.

In the build up to the event, nobody gave you the chance but you went ahead to claim your title?

It is the sports journalists that are saying all that. As an athlete, you don’t dwell much on what people say. You will rather concentrate and let your feet do the talking. It’s true that most people did not give me any chance because they didn’t see me at the Golden League. They thought I had gone to sleep, but I’ve proved them wrong in Calabar.

You did a 10.11 in the 100m final, and you will be competing with Usain Bolt and other athletes running  9secs, what are your chances?

I have very good chances in the 100m. The truth is I’m not carried away with what Usain Bolt is doing, yes running about 9secs is challenging, but the race will be determined at the finish line. I’m not scared about Bolt. Moreover he doesn’t have more than two legs. He is no superhuman. Anything can happen in sports.

What is your preparation like for the Olympics?

I’ve been training and I will continue to train harder because I know it won’t be an easy race. My prayer is that God will give me the strength to overcome all my opponents. All the same, I know I must work hard for the title if I need it at the end of the race at London Games?