At 9, Idehen’s Already Propagating Nigerian Brand In America

IKPO IGBINOBA 

At nine years old, Nicholas Osamuyi Idehen is any dad’s delight, a child that any father should be proud of. 

Especially when that father is the former captain of the Nigerian judo team and Commonwealth champion, Kelvin Idehen.

Nicholas is in fourth grade with honour roll. His academic distinction will naturally excite any dad.

But when the same child is a gifted judoka who recreates the aggressiveness which is reminiscent of his father’s fighting days, then the excitement of a father can’t be captured in words.

Last Saturday in faraway Dallas, Texas in the United States of America, Kelvin was transported to Cloud 9 by his son’s amazing performance during the yearly judo festival. 

Judo has redefined Dallas, the city where the 35th American President, John F. Kennedy was killed on November 22, 1963.

Now, the city plays host to the annual Dallas Invitational Judo Championship. 

And it has done so for fifty-five years without a break.

Nicholas with his dad who doubles as his coach was part of the Dallas Invitational where 850 athletes drawn from  245 clubs across the United States congregated last week.

Fighting in the 35 -37 kg, Nicholas had four fights winning three by ippon(knockouts).

He lost his final fight to a Russian to settle for silver. 

An ecstatic father reacting to his son’s performance at the championship gushed 

“I see myself in Nicholas when he competes. He never stops attacking until the fight is over”.

Kelvin was renowned for his relentless attacks in his competitive days which explains how he became Nigeria’s champion within two years of taking to the martial art. 

And winning more laurels for his country during his active days.

However,  it was not just Nicholas’ performance on the tatami mat that stood him out of the Dallas multitude.

His specially designed costume( judogi) did.

With Nigeria’s Coat of Arm neatly embossed on the judogi with green stripes, Nicholas was an ambassador of a sort promoting his home country’s identity on the big Dallas stage.

Reacting to his son’s choice of judogi,  Kelvin said he was proud of his identity. According to him “He proudly calls himself Nigerian-American”. 

As to how Nicholas who is already infected with the patriotic bug came about the eye-catching judogi, Kelvin revealed that it was the founder of the Judo Movement in New Jersey, David Osaghae who gave it to his son.

Nicholas Idehen at his tender age is already on a path leading to greatness in judo, academics and diplomacy.