Acting first class is natural fit for Igali

June 15 2001

It's not often that the reigning World and Olympic wrestling champion steps into your backyard to talk about everything from dedication to control, effort to accomplishment.
But there Daniel Igali was, a former Langley resident in the mid-90's, taking the time to speak at the school's annual awards banquet. What he said on stage was incredible in itself - his story of triumph that took him to where he was today, his humble demeanor and his efforts in not trying to laugh out loud while he was giving the kicker to one of his funny stories.

But, as many of us know, a lot of today's athletes peck up for the public engagements, shaking hands and kissing babies, smiling for the camera before pulling a 360 when it comes down to them and their entourage. What was he like for real?

If you couldn't tell, Daniel Igali definitely does not fit that "today's athlete" description. It's a refreshing change of pace. I had a chance to catch up with him before he was set to speak, and with time ticking down, I asked if he could talk after his speech. Little did I know, Igali sat back in his seat after talking, while Brookswood Secondary honored athletes from Grades 8-12.

Midway through honoring one of the girls rugby teams, the Nigerian-born Canadian got up, excused himself and thanked everyone for coming, and informed the audience he was headed for another engagement.

Headed to the exits, I grabbed my pen and headed out the door in quick pursuit. Calling his name, Igali stopped, turned back and said "Oh that's right, where do you want to talk?"

He talked about his responsibility of being a role model, of kids filling his web site with letters, and how, if it were a burden, which it isn't, he has to deal with that. " I love talking to kids. I tell them (the organizers) when I come, not to tell the media. That's not what I am here for," he says. "I don't do it for that at all."

We wrap up, and Igali is on his way out the door, when a parent stops him on the hallway and introduces himself. As I walk out, I hear the man introduce himself and ask him if he could wait a while longer because his daughter really wanted to meet him, but was getting changed from a practice.

No checking his watch. No hesitation. "Sure," he said. And he stood and waited with the father.

He may be the Canadian World and Olympic wrestling champion, but it's not often that you get such a class act in your own backyard. "Only the story...can continue beyond the war and the warrior" - chinua Achebe (Anthills of the Savannah).