Reflections from Athens - August 31 2004
It is the toughest thing, to pace back and forth, threaten a board standing nearby, shove it a bit while still breathing heavily, because CBC has just asked if "you mind an interview", just as you walk off the mat. You have just lost 3-1 to Fundora Read More....
One More Time - August 10 2004
Fear, they say is a thing of this world. Everybody has it on a regular basis. Doubt, is also another characteristic that most human beings possess. I am bringing up these two critical words because of the emails I have received from most of you Read More....
A crisis? Hardly! - June 20 2004
What is with that grin? It is the first time I have seen it in months. The smile is so broad; you can see all thirty-two of them. He gradually gets up and pumps his fist, reminiscent of someone in a victory pose. Reminds me mildly of those Viagra Read More....
My Thought Processes - May 23 2004
Shortly before the world championships in Iran in 2002, I wrote a diary entry entitled "My State of Mind". I have never received more emails from friends, admirers, and detractors about that diary than any other diary entry. Many people wanted to Read More....
The Solitary life of An Olympic Athlete - May 16 2004
It is my first week back after almost six weeks off the mat. If I were a Hockey player, I would have described my condition as a ?lower body? injury; I like that non-specificity better. Having adhered to the physical conditioning and physiotherapy Read More....
A Long Time Coming - May 09 2004
I must first of all apologize for the long silence. If I remember correctly, the last diary entry was about one and a half year ago. I am too much of a positive person to dwell on the negatives that bedevilled my last year and a half of Read More....
Looking back - August 28 2002
I have had this feeling for over two weeks now. I am not ready, not ready in the real sense of the word. I have sat down and analyzed my situation. More than ever, I am now in a good situation to train. I have the necessary support network: great Read More....
March 27, 2000 - March 26 2002
Tuesday morning I work up early for a weight session at my hotel in Toronto. Even with the limited number of weights I was still able to get in a pretty good work out. The day was packed with media interviews and meetings with marketing agents to Read More....
What a difference a year makes - December 07 2001
What a difference a year makes. By this time last year, I had just returned from the Olympic Games in Sydney with Canada?s first-ever wrestling gold medal. I had about 1500 fans and media come out to the airport to receive me. This time, I am Read More....
Almost ready - November 22 2001
My last diary entry was in June when I was getting ready for the German Grand Prix in Leipzig, Germany. It turned out that I had to withdraw from the tournament due to an injury I had sustained earlier. I have not written since then as there was Read More....
Unsettled - November 10 2001
Unsettled! That is the word around this part of town these days, I will get back to that later in the diary. When times are as unpredictable as they are, I like to wonder to those good old years. Those years when I never had to worry about my diet, Read More....
National Championships - June 18 2001
The Canadian Senior National Wrestling Championships took place on the 4-5th of May. It was the first phase of my preparations for the world championships in Madison Square Gardens, New York, in September. Going into the Championships, I was not Read More....
That time of year - April 25 2001
It is that time of year when the annual National wrestling championships comes around. Luckily, this year, we have it in our city, at our own training venue, Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia. Free style wrestling is billed to Read More....
What a trip - October 16 2000
It's been two weeks since I achieved one of my main goals in life, to win a gold medal at the Olympic games. Ironically, I did it on the day of Nigeria's independence. Have I mentioned something about a "full circle"? It also happened to be just a Read More....
Just five more days.. - September 23 2000
It is Just five days before I weigh in and six days before I have my first match at the millennium Olympics. As the days get closer, I am getting more nervous. I have tried as much as I can to distract myself, but it's hard not to think about my Read More....
The stage is set - September 17 2000
The stage is set! I have been in Sydney for three days and have enjoyed every second of it. We had the Opening Ceremonies two days ago. I had the opportunity to meet lots of athletes from so many countries. It was quite an experience. I am proud to Read More....
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 Read More....
The slow music is gone - September 04 2000
The mood in my suburban surrey basement is upbeat. The slow music is gone. Instead, my loudspeakers are spitting the likes of Nas, DMX, JayZ, Tupac, Raskimono, Biggie, Orits Williki, Da Brat, Zigg/Bob Marley and sometimes Fela Kuti. The volume is Read More....
an old woman always gets uneasy when dry bones are mentioned - August 28 2000
The saying that "an old woman always gets uneasy when dry bones are mentioned" is a proverb that applied to me last week. After a few articles revealed that I had a tough childhood and that I had to share an egg with a few siblings, it became the Read More....
In approximately 40 days - August 21 2000
In approximately 40 days I will step on the center of the wrestling mat in Sydney for what will be the biggest tournament of my life. In front of millions of people watching all over the world the sweat, mental preparation, and physical training Read More....
While in camp - August 14 2000
We just finished an Olympic training camp in Calgary from the 7th-13th of August and it was a blast. This past week is one of those weeks where I felt like no one could touch me. If the Olympics were last week, I would have guaranteed a gold medal. Read More....
Canadian Cup - August 07 2000
The Canada Cup of wrestling has come and gone with winners and losers going separate ways. About 10 countries attended with about 100 competitors in both the male and female categories. For a bit more of a challenge, I moved up a weight class to 76 Read More....
well-needed two day break - July 31 2000
We had a well-needed two day break last week after our intense training camp in Korea. I personally needed the time off to rest my aching ribs. Looking back, it was money well spent. I'd have to say it was the most intense week of training I've had Read More....
This past week of training - July 24 2000
This past week of training was definitely a week that will remain sketched in my memory. I must admit that I was praying for the week to come to an end. I am sore; I am very sore. But from now to the Olympics, whenever I go into overtime in a match Read More....
Just finished first full practice - July 17 2000
We just finished our first full practice in Seoul with the Korean Olympic team and my body hurts all over from the grueling three hour workout. After practice sessions like this, one wonders whether an Olympic gold medal is feasible. But before you Read More....
This week - July 02 2000
My training schedule was affected a little by some commitments last week which meant that I only had three mat sessions ( Monday, Thursday and Friday). However, I made the best out of the three sessions. I also compensated by working hard on the Read More....
I have not been on the mat ALL week - June 25 2000
I have not been on the mat ALL week. It was a much needed break. However, I am working on my cardio and weights. After the Austrian grand prix, we felt it was necessary to take this week off the mats. I'm sure I'll feel really rejuvenated when I Read More....
Getting back into the grove of things - June 19 2000
The Austrian Grand Prix was not as challenging as I had envisaged. I had only ten people in my weight class, with only about four decent competitors. I was however not disappointed with the experience; the people were very nice and the kids were Read More....
Stage is set - June 12 2000
The stage is set for the Austrian Gand Prix on the 16th and 17th of June in Linz, Austria. I have a feeling that we are going to get it on because we don't get along.
Despite some lapses in my training as a result of a nagging ankle injury, I was Read More....
Definately a great week - June 09 2000
This past week was definitely a great week. I did everything I wanted to do and more. I was on the mat from Tuesday to Saturday, weight trained on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, and had my cardio workouts on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. My Read More....
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 Read More....
May 22, 2000 - May 22 2000
Time certainly goes by fast. It's barely 100 days to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. All the hard work, the concentration, dreams and wishes will be laid bare in a mere 100 days. Who wins and losses is already Read More....
May 15, 2000 - May 15 2000
The situation in "the dungeon" this past week was not impressive. There were very few training partners. I can't blame them since it's the week after nationals. We warmed up consistently with soccer games which work well to get the sweat flowing. Read More....
May 8, 2000 - May 08 2000
This past weekend I witnessed an impeccable performance! More on that in a minute. But first, when you have great coaches, you can rest assured that the training programs will pay off. The week before nationals was very low key. We were given a lot Read More....
May 1, 2000 - May 01 2000
With the impending Senior National Championships, in Thunder Bay just around the corner, the atmosphere in the wrestling room is a bit calmer. The intense sessions have been drastically reduced. Most warriors here have started to concentrate on Read More....
April 24, 2000 - April 24 2000
The past week lived up to its anticipated intensity. Monday is the day that stands out the most. We took it to each other during the scrimmage sessions. My focus was mainly on the overtime situations. I wanted to maintain my calm and go for the Read More....
April 17, 2000 - April 17 2000
The practice room was very hot last week. Throughout the week you would hear the groans and grunts of determined wrestlers pushing each other into the walls, doing everything they can to get an edge. There were bloody noses, cut lips, blood on the Read More....
April 10, 2000 - April 10 2000
We picked up our training tempo in practice last week. We're now doing the bulk of our wrestling on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays and relaxing a bit more on the remaining days. I found myself really tired after three days of wrestling and was Read More....
April 1, 2000 - April 01 2000
Last week was a super week. Everything went according to plan (with the exception of Friday). On Wednesday I did everything I planned to do and more. I out wrestled everybody I scrimmaged with. I was basically an animal. Sometimes, I even surprise Read More....
May 29, 2000 - March 29 2000
The training partners were few and far between this past week. However, we were able to make the best out of the situation. Rob Smyth, Neal Ewers, Travis Cross and Chris Wilson were on hand to heat up the room. We warmed up with soccer as usual, Read More....
March 12, 2000 - March 12 2000
The week started off pretty slow. As usual, I had my cardio workout in the morning, swam for a while and stayed in the sauna for about ten minutes to start. We had scrimmage in the evening so I wasn't able to do much else in the evening after Read More....
