Things are coming together
June 05 2000

Things are coming together for the Austria tournament. I am feeling lighter on my feet and my shots seem more effortless, just the way I want to be next week. I suspect the heavy load of training last week was to blame for my heavy feet. Any time I have to think before making shots or I have to strain to set up a move, I get worried. But this past week, all that changed.

Practices have become shorter and more intense. Travis Cross is getting very busy controlling my arms, Neal Ewers has been pounding on my head, while Rob Smyth has been very evasive. Jeremy "Zen" Podlock has been trying to tie me up and keep a close distance to stop me from shooting, but that has only opened up my throws. I am therefore getting the kind of work outs I need, even though I could use some more practice partners. The progression my intensity is taking is in line with what I would want in two weeks, that is all I ask. In fact, I got a cut below my right eye, that means the wrestling environment is getting fierce. I like it!

The Nigerian community put on a reception for me over the weekend. It was exciting as my coach Dave Mckay and teammate Nick Ugoalah, were also in attendance. After the introductory speeches, the president of the Nigerian community in B.C. made a remark that I won't forget in a hurry. "If you win a gold medal at the Olympics, we will have another huge reception for you. If you win a Silver, we will have a reception at somebody's house; if you win a bronze, we'll have a reception at McDonalds". The implication is that nothing less than a gold medal is expected from me. Little do they know that I am not training like a mad man for anything less either.

Keep sweating... Daniel (Dynamite) Igali.