I won’t stop until I’m a world champion, Oluwasegun

African armwrestling champion Ajao Oluwasegun shares how he found the sport, dealt with injury, and dreams of the Olympics in this chat with PETER AKINBO

How did armwrestling start for you?

It all began for me in secondary school. At that time, I was just having fun with friends. I didn’t even know it was a real sport with competitions. Later, I found out I could actually make a career out of it.

Did your parents support your decision to become an armwrestling athlete?

To be honest, my parents didn’t support my choice at first. They didn’t see it as a serious path for me, so I had to find my own motivation and keep pushing by myself.

Was armwrestling easy or difficult for you when you started?

For me, it wasn’t too hard because I had been involved in other sports before armwrestling. That experience helped me a lot. It gave me strength and discipline, which made it easier to learn the techniques of armwrestling quickly.

Have you ever thought of quitting armwrestling?

Yes, there was a time I considered it. When I got injured, that moment really tested me and made me think about giving up. But deep down, I didn’t want to quit. I held on to hope and believed that things would improve, and that kept me going.

What would you say has been the happiest moment of your career so far?

The happiest moment for me came after my injuries when I realized I could still compete. That was very important to me, because not every athlete gets that chance. Some injuries end careers completely, so being able to come back and still perform is something I truly appreciate.

You have won gold for Nigeria. What does this mean to you, and do you see yourself as a role model?

Yes, I have won gold medals for Nigeria, and it means a lot to me. There were moments I didn’t think I could achieve it, so winning was really special. Beyond the medals, I also see myself as a role model. I know many young athletes look up to me, and that encourages me to represent the sport well.

You are an African champion. What does this signify to you?

Yes, I am an African champion, and it shows that I am on the right path. It tells me that soon, by God’s grace, I will become a world champion. It’s a stepping stone for me, and it motivates me to keep working harder.

What does competing at the African Championships mean to you?

Competing at the African Championships means a lot to me. It’s about representing Nigeria, my family, and myself. Every time I compete, I carry all of that with me, which pushes me to do my best.

Do you have dreams of the Olympics?

Yes, I do. That is the goal of every professional athlete; the Olympics is the peak of the sport. Any athlete who says they don’t dream of the Olympics is probably not being honest, because it is the highest stage you can reach.

What do you hope to achieve if you qualify?

If I qualify, my goal is to go for the world title. That is what I am working towards.

What are the challenges you face?

The main challenges I face are financial support and getting access to good training equipment. Without proper funding and the right gear, it becomes hard to train at the level needed to compete with the best in the world.

What is your ultimate goal in armwrestling?

My ultimate goal is to become a world-famous champion. That is what I am striving for every day, and I won’t stop until I achieve it.

Will you ever go into coaching?

Yes, definitely. In fact, I am already doing that now. I have some kids that I am training, and I enjoy passing on what I know to the younger generation.