16th August, 2013
The tall ambition of Nigeria’s superwoman, Blessing Okagbare is to be like Jamaica’s superman, sprint sensation Usain Bolt someday.
“A lot of people have been, maybe, saying that. If they say that, then it’s an honour. Usain Bolt is a great athlete, an extremely talented athlete, and for some people to say you actually have, maybe you’re even close to the talent he has, is a great honour for me,” said Okagbare
Like Bolt, Jamaica’s The Gleaner reports that the Nigerian lady carries an impressive physical frame when compared to most of her competitors at the ongoing 14th IAAF World Championships in Russia.
Okagbare has yet to come close to Bolt’s World record-breaking accomplishments in any of her events, but she has accepted comparisons to the Jamaican star as a challenge to improve to the point where – like him – she can win gold medals at global championships like the WCA.
“I am actually working my way to get there,” Okagbare said, “to be like the Usain Bolt.”
She’s no slouch either. In her first attempt at three individual events at a global meet, Okagbare is reaping some success. The 2008 Olympic long jump bronze medalist placed second in the event at the WCA with a leap of 6.99 metres, after taking seven jumps total. She also clocked 11.04 seconds to finish sixth in the 100 meters final, after running a heat and semi-final in the event.
Okagbare, a world-class triple jumper, is also in tonight’s final of the 200m after coasting to the second-fastest time in the semis. But, even after that, her work won’t be done as she is expected to be part of Nigeria’s 4×100 metres relay team.
Bolt-like standards may be in the distance, but the burden Okagbare is carrying doesn’t take a step back for anyone, not even Jamaica’s and track’s biggest star.
“Hard work, determination,” said Okagbare, of handling her workload, “and just keeping my focus.”
Ahead of the 200m final, Okagbare said though nobody is a clear favourite, she would work hard to bring glory to her dear country, Nigeria.