The fastest man at the 2022 National Sports Festival (NSF), Fakorede Adekalu Okanlawon, has said his ultimate ambition is to become an Olympics gold medallist. In this interview with Trust Sports, the Ekiti State born speedster also explained how he became a professional athlete, the challenges, his international competitions and why he dumped his state of origin to represent Rivers State at the just concluded National Sports Festival in Asaba, Delta State.
Dotun Omisakin who was in Asaba
When and how did you become a track and field athlete?
My name is Fakorede Adekalu Okanlawon, from Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. I am 19 years old and the first born in my family. I started track and field in 2019. On that fateful day, I went to the field and Mr. Oluyole Jaca, who is now my coach, saw me and he told me to run, which I did. After my race, he told me that I have some skills that can be worked on. So, he encouraged me to start coming for training. That was how I started.
Were you involved in other sports before 2019?
No, I was not fully engaged in other sports. I actually played street football but I was not good at it. Although before 2019, what I only knew was that I could run fast but never thought of achieving anything out of it. Then I was in SS2.
How did your parents receive your interest in athletics?
Actually, my dad was in support of it because he was the person that first took me to Olukayode stadium in Ekiti state when I was very young and handed me over to coach. But then, I was very young, so I ran back home because the training was tedious. So, in my involvement in track and field, my dad and mum have been in support of it.
You are just 19, so are you seeking to further your education?
No, for now, I am not seeking admission into any Nigerian institution. I am planning to travel to the United States of America (USA), to further my education there because athletics is good over there.
What was your experience when you made your international debut by representing Nigeria at the World U-20 Championship in Kenya in 2021?
Yes, that was the first time I represented the country at an international event and it was an amazing experience. I finished as a semi-finalist in the 200m and a finalist in the 400x100m. It was in Kenya that I ran my Personal Best, PB of 28.7 in the 200M race.
Later in 2022, you represented Nigeria at World U-20 Championship in Cali, Columbia and at the 22nd African Athletics Championships in Mauritius, what were your experiences?
Then in Kenya, it was a world junior event but when I got to African Athletics Championships in Mauritius, I was with the senior athletes, so the experience was good meeting those who are more experienced than me. So, it was a good outing for me at the World U-20 in Cali, Columbia. I finished as semi-finalists in both events as well.
What does it mean to you to represent Nigeria at this tender age?
I feel very happy because not many of us have the opportunity to represent Nigeria. Everybody is working hard to be where I am but it is by grace and training. And this has given my parents and my entire family joy because the name ‘Adekalu’ is becoming a household name. When you put it into syllables, it becomes Ade-Ka-Ilu, which means ‘The crown is everywhere in the town’. And I thank God for it.
After so many semi-finals, you won the gold in 100m at the 2022 National Sports Festival in Asaba. What was the motivation?
The motivation has been my coach, family members and God. I had to just believe in myself that I can do it and I have to just keep on training because after everything, I kept on training and there is saying that every disappointment is a blessing in disguise. I have been disappointed for a very long time but I have to keep believing in myself.
What were the challenges you faced during Asaba 2022 and how were you able to overcome them?
Before the festival, I was very sick. I had typhoid and malaria. From mid October to the middle of November, I was not myself. I was unable to train or do any other activity. Actually, I recovered a week before the festival. It was then that I began to train for the sports festival. I had to train morning and evening for a whole week to get back to fitness. That is why I keep thanking God that I was able to win the gold medal.
What was your target before Asaba 2022?
At the last festival in Edo state, I was not a finalist in the 100m because I was very sick. The same sickness hit me during the sports festival. So, this year, I planned to finish with a better time but as God will have it, I won the gold medal to emerge the fastest man.
You are from Ekiti State but you represented Rivers state. Why didn’t you represent your state?
Can I say my state was not encouraging? I am not the only one that left the state to represent another state. Other athletes left as well. There were three athletes that won two gold and one bronze medal for Delta state but they are from Ekiti State. Four of us from the state represented Rivers. Many of us were not encouraged to run for the state. So, we are not happy that we dumped our state.
As an upcoming athlete, what is your ultimate ambition?
Every track and field athlete must have a goal in mind and my own is to become an Olympic gold medalist. I want to also become a world champion and definitely God will make it happen for me.
Who is your role model?
Anytime I need advice and help, I talk to Enoch Adegoke and some senior athletes because I play with everybody and I don’t keep malice.
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