2019 African Games gold medalist in Javelin, Kelechi Nwanaga has revealed that moving abroad gave her the necessary exposure and enhanced her confidence to compete against the best.
The national Record holder successfully defended her African Games title won in Congo Brazzaville four years ago after throwing a distance of 55.88m at the 12th edition of the continent’s showpiece held in Rabat, Morocco.
“Actually, moving abroad has helped me mentally or otherwise. This is because sometimes when we are in Nigeria and have not associated with different skin colours, you feel intimidated when you see them. Because when you see them stretching and the way they do things, you will be amazed. But going out there, you see them, you interact with them, you know that you belong to the same society gives you enough confidence. When you are at a competition you know that these are the people I interact with, so I don’t care or mind what is happening, I’m going to put up my best and see what I can do next,” Nwanaga told Sportinglife.ng.
She advised other athletes to take their destiny into their hands and not wait for the government to do everything for them.
“Everything depends on the individual. When you talk about the country, everything cannot be wholly put on government or the federation. The athletes themselves must have the enthusiasm and mind that I want to do it. So if the country sees that, then they will help you.
“I started this sport as a junior athlete and only represent this country once at a junior competition, Ethiopia 2015 African Junior Championship. I then task myself to go back home, train very well and make the senior team, which I did. I know things are not working the right way it should work, but you have to put up a fight and be determined to succeed, definitely help will come for you,” Nwanaga told Sportinglife.ng.
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