Nigerian Judoka, Bukola Dumps Honeymoon To prepare For Commonwealth Games Trials

IKPO IGBINOBA 

Newlywed judoka, Adebukola Adeyanju has cut short her honeymoon to begin her preparations for the Commonwealth Games trials.

The Nigeria Judo Federation, NJF has scheduled the trials for January 26th to 29th, 2022 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

The -78kg fighter fondly called Bukky by her numerous fans tied the nuptial knot with her heartthrob on October 29 and proceeded on a honeymoon.

But on Thursday, the ebony-hued judoka put aside her honeymoon, stormed the National Institute for Sports, NIS dojo in Lagos to commence preparation for the trials.

She told reporters “For now, the honeymoon is over, it is time to return to the dojo because of the Commonwealth Games trials”.

Bukky, a staff of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC has set her sights on one of the slots of the Commonwealth Games.

After three hours of intensive work out on Thursday, Bukky declared “I feel excited returning to the dojo. It’s fun to be back”.

Bukky has lately dominated the -78 kg category. 

During the National Sports Festival, hosted by Edo State, she got a silver medal.

But in the Oshodi Foundation National Open Judo Championship which took place later in Ibadan, Bukky snatched the gold medal in style.

Though she is considered the best in her weight category, Bukky said she would resist the temptation to be complacent.

According to her “I won’t take chances during the trials. That’s why I will put everything I have into the preparation.”

The judoka explained that since attending the Commonwealth Games was the dream of many judokas, the trials would be explosive.

“The stakes in the upcoming trials are high and any judoka who is not adequately prepared won’t survive the competition”.

Bukky who is a Business Administration graduate said it had always been her dream to represent Nigeria on the big stage.

She enthused”I have always dreamt of representing Nigeria in the Commonwealth Games and here comes the opportunity. I won’t let it slip”.