THE WEEKEND BITE Online: 'NO EXCUSE' Series - EPISODE 3

Hello readers, it’s been a while. Apologies for the break! Let me assure you that this blog is back and here to stay. We’ll be kicking off where we stopped with the ‘No Excuse’ series of the Weekend Bite.

This episode features the story of the Nigerian Paralympics champions who did their country proud at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London.

Cast your minds back to the London Olympics 2012 where a lot of us were disappointed at the performance of Team Nigeria. So many hearts sank as we watched the athletes loose at each event we had seemingly managed to qualify for, and eventually return home empty handed. Little did we know the key to the redemption of Nigeria's image lay in the hands of a few disabled people.

At the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, Team Nigeria defied all odds and WON BIG! Yes, Nigeria came out third best in Africa after Tunisia and South Africa and 22nd in the world. Thanks to Esther Oyema, Yakubu Adesokan, Joy Onaolapo and Folashade Oluwafunmilayo, the most celebrated power-lifters, four world records were set in favour of Nigeria. Team Nigeria successfully bagged 13 medals- six gold, five silver and two bronze medals.

In fact, Yakubu Adesokan was a first timer at the Paralympics (the first on the team to win); yet he successfully took home a gold medal and set a new world record for lifting 180kg, which is about four times his body weight. He had set the old record of 177kg earlier last year in Dubai. He had also won gold at the last commonwealth games in New Delhi two years back; but for him this was even more fulfilling. He attributed his success to motivation and good preparation; giving thanks to God.

Esther Oyema also set a new world record, in the 48kg Power-lifting category by lifting 135kg. This gold medalist, who had contacted polio as a child, was elated to be counted as an international champion. She remains hopeful for more records to come.

Joy Onolapo, also successfully won gold at the Paralympics after breaking the Paralympics Record in the 52kg category with a lift of 128kg and similarly breaking the world record with a lift of 131kg. Like Esther Oyema, she also contacted polio when she was a child. The final gold came from Grace Anozie.

How did these ones do it? How did those with seeming disabilities attain a feat that those with 'full-ability' can only dream of?

Onolapo maintains that they succeeded because they took things seriously and also by determination, discipline and focus, despite many challenges. For Ivory Nwokorie, a gold medalist in the women's +44kg Power-lifting category, she had to go through a very tough training before she could attain this feat. They were faced with such challenges as substandard training facilities, transportation difficulties, ostracism by people etc. For Gloria Anozie, the 35-year old gold medalist in women's +82kg Power-lifting category, there was a common challenge of being looked down on by people who regarded them as beggars when seen on the road or trying to make it to training. She turned to sports due to the problem of unemployment after graduating from the department of Accounting in Enugu State University of Science and Technology. Now she has no regrets, having been to four Paralympic games and retaining the world record with gold medals.

For Folasade Oluwafunmilayo, a silver medalist in the women's- 75kg Power-lifting category who had contacted polio when she was only three years old, the challenges in addition to the absence of funds to go into sport, further pushed her to succeed despite lack of proper training. She was able to overcome and finish second place; though she lifted the same weight as the gold medalist. Folashade had insisted on taking a fourth unofficial lift and thereby set a new world record of 148kg and Paralympics record of 143kg.

Victoria Nneji, bronze medalist in the women's- 67.5kg Power-lifting category was able to surmount the common challenges in addition to two shoulder injuries. She had not felt that much pain before but she was determined to win something.  In her words "It’s a Nigerian mentality that people view the physically-challenged as a problem to the society. We've proved however that we can do what some able-bodied athletes cannot do." The bronze medalist suffered from Poliomyelitis as a child, but consistently refused to accept sympathy from people, to be seen as a problem or even beg for survival on the streets like some others. She firmly believes that she can do whatever any other able person can do as 'Disability is only in the mind.'

Several times, they had to struggle to transport themselves to and fro training locations. Their condition prevented them from entering regular buses and so their only option was to enter taxis which was expensive. Where such money was unavailable, they could be stuck there for hours, despite harsh weather conditions. However, they were able to surmount these challenges and gain international and national recognition and relevance.

Out of 10 African Countries, Nigeria won a total of 13 medals, finishing 22nd on the medals table and 3rd in Africa. Nigeria was deemed to be a leader in the Power-lifting category and enjoyed cheers from the crowd and international cross-section of viewers.

Thankfully, our President, His Excellency Ebele Goodluck Jonathan, conferred the befitting honour of MON (Member of the Order of Nigeria) on six of the gold medalists, cash rewards of Five Million Naira for each gold medalist, Three Million Naira for each silver medalist and Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira for each bronze medalist. Other members of the team who did not win any medal, also received Five Hundred Thousand Naira each. The President clearly stated that 'the athletes gave hope to Nigerians and all physically challenged youths.' He also commended their exceptional courage at showing us all that 'being physically challenged is no barrier'.

The athletes all complained of lack of proper welfare and standard training facilities. It is hoped that the relevant authorities will look into this in preparation for next year’s Commonwealth games, the Summer Paralympics in 2016 and other sporting events; and also to ensure that the athletes are well taken care of.

Unfortunately, Joy Onolapo, a mother of two and one of the gold medalists was confirmed dead in August this year by the Nigeria Power Lifting Federation (NPLF). Her Power lifting coach, Ijeoma Iheriobim described late Onaolapo as 'a committed and diligent athlete with a dedication worthy of emulation.' According to her, her death is 'a great loss to the power lifting team'. Thankfully, she pursued her dreams while she was alive and was successful in doing so.

The Nigerian Paralympics champions had no excuse not to pursue their dreams despite all odds, neither do you!

Just do it!

Cheers!...

© November,2013 By Lola Agbaje-Williams.

Sources:
Nairaland Forum- September 16, 2012
Business day– Sunday 16, 2012,
The Punch Newspaper- Sept 22, 2012,
Premium Times- August 3, 2013;
General News on the web about the Paralympics.

THE WEEKEND BITE Online: 'NO EXCUSE' Series- EPISODE 2

Hello friends, sure your week has been great. Welcome to the second episode of the ‘No Excuse Series’, sorry it took so long. We have been examining the awe-inspiring stories of men who are achieving great feats despite the overpowering limitations of their situations and circumstances. If you missed the amazing story in Episode 1, please click on the following link:

http://www.mypenacatalystofchange.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-weekend-bite-online-no-excuse.html

The star of this episode is a 23-year old South-Korean named Choi Sung-Bong.




Born on the 18th of February, 1990, Choi’s parents had no clue about the greatness their son was carrying. He was abandoned in an orphanage at the age of three and he had to run away when he was only five years old after being beaten consistently. He practically lived on his own since then, sleeping on the stairs and in public toilets throughout that period. He fended for himself and survived by selling chewing gums and energy drinks on the streets for about 10 years. He also worked as labourer, delivering milk and Newspapers from when he was eight years old. While working, he occasionally overhead music and gradually his love for it grew until he was deeply in love with it. He was dedicated to singing to himself and practicing each day.


No baby pictures for Choi, but I bet he would have looked like this cute dude if his childhood was different!

At the age of 14, after listening to a classical vocalist at a nightclub where he sold chewing gum, his inspiration to pursue music as a career came to life. His passion led him to make enquiries until he landed and the door of his future mentor Jeong-So Park, a former opera singer who ended up teaching him free of charge and helping him get into an arts high school at the age of 16. Jeong-So Park was challenged by this young man who grew up on the streets but still has desire to go to school and to learn how to sing.

Jeong-so Park


Jeong-so Park taught Choi a whole lot more than music. He prepared and mentored him for the GED exams for elementary and middle school and entrance exams into Arts school, all of which he passed in flying colours. He also helped him to raise financial support for his schooling through Child Fund Korea and several others who were moved by his story.
At a point in high school, it became increasingly difficult for Choi to keep a job as a delivery man with the overwhelming demands of schooling and all that had a ripple effect on his school work. Around the second year of high school he told Park that he didn’t want to go to school anymore, considering the stress and the exorbitant amount for college fees, which they both didn’t have at the time. He later disappeared for about a year, trying ‘his hands on different things which were unsuccessful before he returned to help his mentor as a staff (best boy for lighting) at the first Praise Concert which Jeong-So Park organised at Juseungchun Church. Thereafter, the Church Pastor awarded Choi a scholarship out of the proceeds of the concert. Choi successfully graduated from Daejeon Arts High School where he became a musical autodidact (self teacher) as he pursued classical vocal training in the School’s Musical Department.




In 2011, Choi Song-Bong was encouraged by his Mentor to participate in the show 'Korea's got talent'. He introduced himself to the Judges and the Audience as the abandoned and homeless child who had to survive by selling gum and energy drinks for 10 years and thereafter went on to perform ‘Nella Fantasia (In My Fantasy) ’. All the judges immediately got emotional after his story and powerful performance. This led to a big offer of voice training classes to Choi by one of the Judges. The Youtube video of his performance went viral and as at February 2013, the video of his performance with English subtitles had more than 78 million views. I watched it myself and I was deeply moved.



Despite all odds, Choi advanced in the competition, all the way to the finals and he finished as the first runner up. All through the competition he dazzled the Judges and his numerous fans with his captivating voice and still continues to do so today to as many as care to listen to him.




After the competition, he continued as a vocalist and in 2012, Sung Bong Choi sang the Korean National Anthem for Korea's athletes ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games in London, UK. His rendition was powerful and inspiring and was certainly the right boost for the athletes.



He has done many other outstanding performances. He performed at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles as part of an international concert dedicated to peace and unity; the humanitarian project tagged ‘We hear your voice’ which was organised by Shani Rigsbee and her husband Andy Madadian. He has also appeared in many television shows, lectures and concerts and on 30th April, 2012 he authored a Korean best-selling autobiography describing his life journey titled ‘Just live without conditions ‘cause you live only once’. He is also set to release an album soon.



During a recent interview, Choi told KoreAm, A Korean American Magazine: “I’m able to do things that I haven’t been able to do for 22 years right now. After I sang ‘Nella fantasia’ and had great experiences, I had a reason to live. But still, I will never forget (how) I never starved to death or froze to death or was beaten to death. I’m thankful to be alive”




Choi Song-Bong didn't have any excuse to pursue his dreams despite all odds, neither do you!

Just do it!

Cheers!



© March,2013 By Lola Agbaje-Williams.


Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choi_Sung-Bong
http://iamkoream.com/september-issue-opera-singer-choi-sung-bong-more-than-korean-susan-boyle/
http://sungbongchoidotcom.blogspot.com/2012/07/brief-overview-of-sung-bongs-journey.html
You tube video of Choi Sung-Bong’s Audition, You-tube video of Jeong-so Park’s account of meeting Choi Sung-Bong for the first time.