Blessing Okagbare who recently returned back from a brief Christmas break in Nigeria to her training base in the USA has indicated that she is ready to put a rather tumultuous 2015 behind her and focus on having a great year in 2016 especially with the Olympic Games in Brazil on the horizon. Blessing who went through a lot that included a rather debilitating injury which riddled her entire season is thankful however of how the season ended and is currently hard at work to take on her competition this year. Upon return i caught up with her to talk about 2015 and 2016.
Blessing was recently celebrated as the most Invited athlete on the Diamond League Circuit with 38 appearances since the event started in 2010 by the Guinness Book of World Record she also returned from Nigeria with some support from one of Nigeria’s top banks; First Bank of Nigeria who signed her on as a Brand Ambassador showing that yes Track and Field Athletes are bankable and deserve sponsorship and support to pursue their dreams and focus on their careers like all other sportsmen and women of other more popular sports disciplines;
ASM (African Sports Monthly): 2016 which we can say will be the most decisive year of your career has begun what are you looking forward to the most?
Blessing: Like everyone who has passion and love what they do, I am looking forward to a fruitful year.
ASM: 2015 was a mixed bag of a year for you what can you say you took away from such a year as far as your career and personal life is concerned ?
Blessing: Yes 2015 was a year with mixed feelings for me,but at the same time I learnt a lot from it. I had some up's and down that I was trying to control instead of focusing on the right things. So, I think that was the one big lesson for me that indicated to me that no matter how hard the circumstances, you focus on the right things instead of trying to fix everything.
ASM (African Sports Monthly): 2016 which we can say will be the most decisive year of your career has begun what are you looking forward to the most?
Blessing: Like everyone who has passion and love what they do, I am looking forward to a fruitful year.
ASM: 2015 was a mixed bag of a year for you what can you say you took away from such a year as far as your career and personal life is concerned ?
Blessing: Yes 2015 was a year with mixed feelings for me,but at the same time I learnt a lot from it. I had some up's and down that I was trying to control instead of focusing on the right things. So, I think that was the one big lesson for me that indicated to me that no matter how hard the circumstances, you focus on the right things instead of trying to fix everything.
ASM: What was the most disappointing moment for you in 2015?
Blessing: Obviously the World Track & Field Championship in Beijing.
ASM: What was the best moment for you in 2015
Blessing: Can't seem to really find any... sorry hahaha but making the Guinness book of World Records.
ASM: Okay then great cue for my next question … Recently there were reports in Nigerian media circles that you attained a milestone over Jamaica's Usain Bolt as the athlete with the most appearances at the IAAF Diamond league meets how do you feel about that and what is you take away from such an honor
Blessing: Wow ... great feeling all around and also a privilege. With such honor, it does shows that there people who love, appreciate and are constantly watching what you do and the things you represent.
Blessing: Obviously the World Track & Field Championship in Beijing.
ASM: What was the best moment for you in 2015
Blessing: Can't seem to really find any... sorry hahaha but making the Guinness book of World Records.
ASM: Okay then great cue for my next question … Recently there were reports in Nigerian media circles that you attained a milestone over Jamaica's Usain Bolt as the athlete with the most appearances at the IAAF Diamond league meets how do you feel about that and what is you take away from such an honor
Blessing: Wow ... great feeling all around and also a privilege. With such honor, it does shows that there people who love, appreciate and are constantly watching what you do and the things you represent.
ASM: Is it safe to say 2016 will be career defining for you?
Blessing: God willing yes.
ASM: How is training going thus far?
Blessing: Training has been going well, thank you!
ASM:A Happy New Year to you and your husband ..What special message do you have for your fans this new year.
Blessing: Happy New Year to you and yours. For my fans, I want to say thanks for being my fan, thanks for the support, prayers and every word of encouragement you have given me. I also want to crave you indulgence not to stop supporting and praying for me because, you guys inspire me. Thanks.
Blessing: God willing yes.
ASM: How is training going thus far?
Blessing: Training has been going well, thank you!
ASM:A Happy New Year to you and your husband ..What special message do you have for your fans this new year.
Blessing: Happy New Year to you and yours. For my fans, I want to say thanks for being my fan, thanks for the support, prayers and every word of encouragement you have given me. I also want to crave you indulgence not to stop supporting and praying for me because, you guys inspire me. Thanks.
By: Editor
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