INTERVIEW: Nigeria can dethrone Ethiopia, Kenya in long distance races – Aderonke Olumudi

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Long distance races are rarities among Nigerian athletes. But Kogi State born Aderonke Olumudi has been making waves in that area. In this interview, Olumudi talks about the importance of education, family, immediate and long-term ambitions among others. Excerpts…
Aderonke Olumudi kogi athlete (2)
What informed your decision to become an athlete?
Running is an inborn talent for me and it’s what I enjoy doing naturally. Even when I was young, I loved running around when the opportunity presented itself. It is just like following my God’s given talent and taking it as my job, and since I started I have not look back.

Why long distance race?
Seriously, I can’t specifically point to any reasons for taking to long distance races. What I can say is that I love what tests my endurance, and I had to go for an event that will test my level of endurance and strength. I can say my passion lies in long distance races.

You sold all your properties to embark on your tour of the United States. Was that a good decision?
The trust I have in myself gave me the confidence to take such a big risk. There is no gain without pain and the only way I could achieve my dream of making it big was to sponsor myself and that was what I did. I can tell you it was not an easy decision, but I had to take the risk and I am happy it paid off. I know I can make it if I put all my effort into it.

What was your family’s reaction to this seemingly erratic decision?
They gave me full support because they understand that I am following my dream.

Did they support your decision to become an athlete in the first place?
They have been there for me, even when I felt like quitting it was my parents that kept me going and I will be forever grateful to them because without them, I don’t know if I will be where I am today.

How difficult is it combining education with athletics?
Education is very important in the life of an athlete, because while athletics sustains you at the moment, you will have to fall back on your education after retirement. I am grateful to God that I have been able to combine both so far. Although I have to say that it has not been easy as both have their peculiarities, but I have been coping.

Who is your role model?
Tirunesh Dibaba, an Ethiopian long distance runner and the outdoors 5,000 metres world record holder. She is also the current World and Olympics 10,000 metres champion.

You started the US tour winning a bronze medal before a silver medal and finally gold medal; how did you achieve such feats?
When I got to the United States the cold was too much for me. But gradually I started acclimatising, and before my last event at the 10 kilometers women’s category of the third GE Irving Marathon race, I was already used to the weather and everything else flowed from there.

What is your next target now?
I am back in Nigeria to prepare for the Okpekpe 10km Road Race coming up in May. Hopefully I can win it to become first Nigerian athlete to do so. After that, maybe I will be going to the United Kingdom for some meets. I already have an invitation for a competition in Wales in July.

Are you saying you are ready for the Okpekpe Race?
I am fully fit and in the right frame of mind for the race. I didn’t perform well during the first edition, but with what I have been able to achieve in the past one month in the US, I am ready to go.
Have you got any support from the Athletic Federation of Nigeria or the National Sports Commission?
I have not got any support from anybody, not the AFN nor the NSC; it has been a lonely journey for me since I started my career as an athlete.

What is your biggest regret?
I have lots of memories of situations, circumstances that I would have preferred didn’t happen or to have hap-pened in a different or better way. However I try not to regret anything that happens to me because I believe all things happen for a reason and for good if you’re always positive minded.

What are greatest moments of your career?
I will forever remember my first international meet. It was a big opportunity for me to run in China against Kenyans and Ethiopians in what was my first real international competition. I finished 10th in half marathon and first in 10km Race.

What is your advice for other young athletes like you?
To get to the top, you have to be ready to sacrifice a lot. I will advise young athletes to be more disciplined, to be more focused with perseverance and to be prayerful. If they can do that, the sky will be the starting point.

If the opportunity comes will you dump Nigeria for another country?
I love my country and I will continue to represent it despite not having the right encouragement from people at the top. I cannot dump my country and I am looking forward to the day I will win an Olympics Games gold medal for Nigeria.

What do you want from Nigeria and your state, Kogi in particular?
My appeal to Nigeria and the Kogi State government is to give a little attention and assistance to long distance runners as well. If they can do that, I am sure we can compete favourably with the Kenyans and Ethiopians. With the right environment and opportunity, Nigeria can get to the top in long distance races. We have the talents, the potential and with just little push we can become the best on the continent.

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