How Blessing Okagbare found God as a teenager

Unknown to many Nigeria’s brightest prospect at the London Olympics, sprinter Blessing Okagbare is a strong believer in God. A born again Christian to be specific. 

Blessing, whose personal best; 10.99 was achieved in London this month, became a woman of faith as a teenager while growing up in Nigeria and says her sojourn in the world of fast track is guided by God.

The Olympic long jump bronze medallist says what she wanted above anything is to glorify God through her track and field.

The US based is Nigeria’s fastest woman and after last week’s gold medal feat in London is considered to be Nigeria’s brightest hope at the Olympics.

Speaking in an inspirational journal by BMS World Mission, Okagbare’s story started from a troubled background that led her to the church where she found succour in the bible and focus in life. She became highly focused as a teenager but never knew she would find greatness in athletics. She took to football for the fun of it playing among teenage boys at school until a teacher who doubles as coach in her school sported her talent and recommended her for the school athletic team.

Her eventual move abroad was another miracle that took her to the U.S where her skill was nurtured to rank among the best in the world.   

Hear her: “I am a woman of faith. I believe there is a God. I believe so much in the Word of God and  knowing him has changed my life. Knowing Jesus makes a lot of difference in my life. I feel that knowing Jesus makes me unique.  Sometimes it means not doing what others do. Like when you have to practice in the morning and people still go to the nightclub until 5am. It doesn’t make sense to me. You have two hours sleep before practice and you can’t gain anything. For me to do that is a sin before God. So I try to stay away from the things that are against the will of God.  Because I have the fear of God in me, I try not to do something where I know, if I do it, God is not going to be happy”. 

A firm believer in prayer, she added, “It is a moment when you communicate with God and you seek for solutions, guidance, comfort; seek things you want. Sometimes I don’t super-pray; I just praise him and sing praises. Those times of prayer and praise draw me closer to God. They help me get answers from God. Jesus showed love to people and he was a meek person but Satan could never defeat him. So as a Christian you don’t have to be weak. Sometimes we need some toughness. I can’t be weak when I go to compete.  When you run and are victorious, you praise God for that. And when you run drug-free then you are pleasing God”.

Okagbare, who will be leading Nigeria’s quest for gold in the 100, 200m, long jump and 1X400m speaks more her bronze medal feat in Beijing 2008 and aspiration for London 2012.   

How did you get involved in athletics?

At first I played football for my high school and later fell in love with athletics. A teacher from my elder sister's high school talked me into doing sport. At first I was just messing around with it, just doing it for fun. I was not serious about it but I was young then.

Why did you end up in the U.S.A?

It was one of the best things that ever happened to me. If I had stayed in Nigeria, the talent I have would not have developed: I would not be as good as I am now. When I left Nigeria, it brought out the best in me. God took me out of Nigeria to USA and I was so excited about it.

What are your memories of the 2008 Olympics?

I went with high expectations because I was jumping well before the Olympics. My goal was to jump a personal best in Beijing. I was ready for it but when I got there I was so nervous. I lost the whole rhythm and, before I knew it, the game was over. And I didn’t qualify for the final. I felt really bad because my coach was expecting so much from me, and even my country, but you can’t change what has happened.

But something changed and I was told I was in the final after all. [Blessing finished 13th but it was then announced that one of the 12 qualifiers, Lyudmyla Blonska, had tested positive for a banned substance. Blonska was disqualified with Blessing taking her place in the final.

 When I got the call it was like, “this is unheard of”. You didn’t make the final and yet you just got in the final somehow. And I thought: something is going to happen. God has something special for me out there. I was saying: “OK, I just got into the final!” I got to take my chance and whatever happens, I have got to do my best.  So I gave it a shot and I got a bronze medal and it was phenomenal.

What are your thoughts on the 2012 Olympics?

I am planning to be there! In 2011, I was not expecting too much – I was pleased to run as I did but it was really about preparation for 2012. I am maybe aiming to run the 100 and the 200 metres. Maybe I won’t be jumping.

You already have an Olympic medal: isn’t that enough?

No. I have a bronze and I am trying to see if I can step up to a gold. With two events I have two chances. Everybody goes to the Olympics to fight for medals. That is what I am going to do. I am not going there to play and watch people. I am going to prepare myself really well. I pray that I stay free from injuries and I hope to do great. I am really looking forward to it.