2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist, Uzoamaka Otuadinma (-73kg) has won her fourth consecutive gold medal at the 21st National Sports Festival in Asaba, Delta State.
Otuadinma bagged gold medals at the 2012, 2018, 2020 and 2022 National Sports Festival respectively.
The 2015 All African Games gold medalist told www.aclsports.com that, she feels that winning gold has become her birthright in the -73kg women’s category.
Otuadinma revealed that the life-threatening injury she had in 2014 has slowed down her progress in the 7 years adding that she is gradually overcoming the pains.
The lanky fighter said, “I have been on top of the world since I won my fourth gold medal and started participating in the National Sports Festival. I feel fulfilled and accomplished but I must confess winning is becoming too easy for me because I no longer have stronger opponents in my weight class.
“The year 2022 was challenging for me because I had to struggle more with my knee injury. Despite not having more training time in the beginning of the year, I had that strong feeling and mindset that I will not be where my opponents had left me. The injury might have slowed me down, but I am back to achieve that which I desire so much through Christ that strengthens me”.
Otuadinma explained to www.aclsports.com what she passed through during her period of recuperating.
She said, “As an athlete, you must surely pass through one or two phases during your trying times. In my case, it was extremely critical but I never let my mind be in the condition of my body when I could not use my legs properly.
“I pictured myself training hard with my legs and I started conquering even if it was not perfect but gradually, I was able to overcome the pains”.
She said, “I glorify God for his divine healing upon me. He is the only one who made it possible that my two legs can still carry to date without crutches.
“I want to commend the President of Nigeria Taekwondo Federation, GM Abdullahi Saidu for his fatherly role and words of encouragement; GM Pius Ilukor for and my teammates most especially Paul Kolade for their words of strength and advice”.
Ahead of the 2023 season, Otuadinma revealed that her target is to win a gold medal at the African Games in Ghana and an Olympic medal in Paris 2024 for Nigeria.
Uzoamaka Otuadinma has won bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland, Gold medal at the 2015 All African Games in Congo, silver medal at 2017 Korean open in South Korea and bronze medal at the 2018 African Games in Morocco.
