20th October, 2010
“Yakubu, I congratulate you on this special achievement. I heard about your performance in India and have called to tell you that you are a great son of our country. Since you have made us proud God will be with you, you will live long to enjoy the fruit of your labourâ€.
The above was an extract from a very long statement made by one of the elderly men who came to welcome Yakubu Adesokan shortly after he returned to his Ibadan home from India last week.
The statement best described the new status of the 175gk Commonwealth Games Powerlifting Gold medalist who has become the toast of his kinsmen at the ancient city.
Men, women and children lined up to receive Yakubu when he landed at their humble home in Odenjo-Academy area, Ibadan on Saturday, 16 October, 2010.
Yakubu, a Special Athlete, who competed in the 44.8kg Powerlifting event for Team Nigeria lifted 175kg at the Delhi Games in India and shattered the 155kg world record set at the last Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
From the encomiums showered on the physically challenged athlete in Ibadan by his admirers, Yakubu is seen as a source of inspiration to other disabled persons in the society.
Not only that, the powerlifter was described as a symbol of ability in disability and the pride of this nation. Victory chants, songs and dance capped the historic reunion of the Commonwealth champion and his family, especially his wife, Saidat and two children, Barakat and Sofiyat that day.
The entire sports community in Ibadan are celebrating Yakubu’s historic medal haul within five years of his involvement in his chosen sport.
“I like playing football right from my youth. Although, I don’t have the legs to play, that’s why I use my hands to play football anytime I want and I play table-tennis as well. But, my major sport is powerliftingâ€, Yakubu told P.M.Sports in Ibadan.
The Commonwealth Games champion already has three gold in his medals collections. The Special Athlete won a gold medal in his first attempt at the Gateway 2006 National Sports Festival held in Ogun State and also grabbed a gold medal in the same sport at last year’s KADA Sports Festival held in Kaduna.
Before going into sports about five years back, Yakubu was a road side shoemaker. Popularly known as ‘Agbarapo’ among his peers, the powerlifter said he has a special anointing and that God has been his helper since a strange ailment rendered his legs useless when he was about a year and two months old.
“I grew up seeing my legs like these, but I think I’m coping with life. My happiness is that I represented Nigeria well by winning a gold medal. It is unique in a way because this is my first attempt for Team Nigeria. I’m happy and will cherish this feat for a very long time to comeâ€, Yakubu said.
—Tunde Oyedele/Ibadan
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