since last year’s World Championships
September 11 2000

I have worked hard since last year's World Championships and I have observed all the necessary rules that should prepare me for the best. I look forward to the Opening Ceremonies when I'll finally get the opportunity to wear the Maple Leaf. Soon, I will be an Olympian and be in the midst of other Olympians from other countries. It has been my dream to be an Olympian since I was ten. In five days, I will get to live that dream. And once the competition begins nine days later, I will realize my biggest aim in life: to step on a wrestling mat in Sydney and have my first match as an Olympian. Anything else that happens will be a bonus.

The training is still intense but the practices are much shorter as we have started to taper. We are still pushing hard, still doing battle, but it is too early to put on the game face as we still have two weeks to go before the real competition begins. I am pleased with the past week of training. I am running, lifting, wrestling and sleeping well. My attacks are getting better and my legs are not as heavy any more (I'd grade it 85 out of 100%). I guess my coaches know what they are doing after all. All I want it to feel good and be in a good frame of mind. The rap music is still cranked in my tiny basement. My neighbors see me and smile. I'll take that as an approval. I get a sense that they know what is about to happen.

The media is still asking questions, "how would you feel about wrestling a Nigerian in Sydney"? The fact is, I would feel no different wrestling a Nigerian than anyone else at the Olympics. I will go out and wrestle with the intention to win and nothing else. I feel like I have done everything humanly possible on my part. The rest is up to God to take care of.

I will close this week with a note from Idris, a friend of mine who posted this message on my Guest book.

"Reading your weekly diaries of recent, I feel a sense of fear of winning, not a fear of losing. You are petrified, way more than nervous; the time is almost up. You feel like you are going to be having your last supper. Your blood boils, you feel like you want to explode, but you got a job to do. Some minor injury distractions, but "you ain't got no time to bleed". You leave in a couple of days for the big show, whatever happens, the Olympics cannot break you, cos' you are what you are. More importantly, you are a conqueror. Go do battle soldier."

Idris, you have read my mind. Indeed, you have read my mind.

Keep sweating.

Daniel (Dynamite) Igali.