By Akeem Lawal
NIGERIA’S sole representative in Gymnastics, Uche Eke stepped up his preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games by participating in the men’s Artistic Gymnastics podium training on Wednesday.
Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com reports that the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics podium training is a dress rehearsal for the Olympic competition that begins 24 July at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo, Japan.
Eke is among the 324 gymnasts representing 64 different nations that will contend for 18 Olympic titles up for grabs among the most highly anticipated events of the Games, Gymnastics’ three disciplines - Artistic, Rhythmic, and Trampoline.
Eke, who is making history as the first Nigerian gymnast to qualify for the Olympic Games, was among the 98 soon-to-be Tokyo Olympians that had the chance to go through their exercises in the competition arena.
During his session, the 2019 African Games gold medalist showed a Cassina on Horizontal Bar, along with a one-arm giant and full-twisting double layout, among other elements.
Ninety eight men and ninety eight women will compete in Artistic Gymnastics, whose 14 medal events, including the men’s and women’s All-Around and Team competition, and 10 Apparatus Finals, will unfold under the broad wooden beams of the Ariake Gymnastics Center.
The men’s competition features six Olympic champions from the 2012 and 2016 Games: Uchimura, two-time Rio gold medallist Max Whitlock (GBR), lords of the Still Rings Eleftherios Petrounias (GRE) and Arthur Zanetti (BRA), as well as Yang Hakseon (KOR) and Epke Zonderland (NED), Olympic champions on Vault and Horizontal Bar respectively.
No African has won Olympic gold in gymnastics and there is little doubt Eke wants to be the first to break such a streak.
In an interview with NOC Media, the Abia State athlete said, “It feels amazing to be here. Everywhere is feeling cool. I’m surrounded by top athletes everywhere I go. Even when I eat, sleep. I’m happy to be here, thinking about my goal, trying to work as hard as I can.
“I just want to go out there and do the best I can. All the hard work that have put into it over the past years 20 in gymnastics, I just want to let it all out. I’m feeling relieved, self accomplishment. I made it here, so have to put on a show.
“I’m not under pressure, anything can happen. Of course I want to get a medal, but my mind now is to make final, that it the first step to it. If I make the final, I’ll be so happy. But like I said, anything can happen. Anyone can fall at any moment, so I have to keep my head, focus on myself, not looking at what other people are doing. I know what I have to do.
In his message to Nigerians, Eke said, “Fellow Nigerians, you can see what I’ve done so far. Always chase your dreams, that is what I’ve been doing. People will make you feel like you want to give up, don’t. Because it’s all about what you want to do. Don’t give up on that dream.”
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