How Coach Motivated ‘Stage Fright’ Peju Oyebanji To Win Taekwondo Gold For Team Lagos

 

 

 

Twenty-year-old Peju Oyebanji has won the first gold medal for Team Lagos in the taekwondo event decided on Sunday at the ongoing National Sports Festival, in Asaba, Delta State.

Oyebanji, whose intention is to study Political Science in the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, defeated Njedeku Okafor of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, in the Kygrogi event

In the event decided inside the multi – purpose hall of the Stephen Keshi Stadium, the gold medalist, said the Delta 2022 sports festival is the first time she would win a gold medal, adding that she won a bronze medal at the 2018 Games in Abuja and none at the last edition held in Edo State in 2021.

An elated Oyebanji disclosed the role her coach, Master Dele Kazeem played at the crucial point she needed motivation to fight her opponent in the final.

According to her, she was initially scared of the FCT opponent who had been so ruthless on her way to the final, but she got from her coach the motivation and courage that raised her spirit to confront her opponent.

 

Oyebanji had won 3 gold medals from three major national tournaments this year alone.

She was the champion in her event at the Panamai International Championship in Lagos, First Women National Taekwondo Competition in Ibadan, Oyo State, and International G-2 Taekwondo Championship in Niger before the sports festival.

She is happy that her golden feat in Asaba might earn her an invitation to the national camp ahead of the 2023 All Africa Games, which Ghana due to host.

The coach of Lagos State Taekwondo Association, Master Dele Kazeem, who was proud of Oyebanji’s performance, said the association is also expecting a gold medal in the sparring event through Abdulateef Arinola who is currently ranked number one in Nigeria.