2016 Rio Paralympic gold medallist, Roland Ezuruike (-54kg men) told www.aclsports.com that he almost committed suicide following the news of his ban in 2021.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) issued the suspension over whereabouts failures of Ezuruike who was found to have made two filing failures and missed a test between April 12, 2019 and March 9, 2020.
The Commonwealth Games gold medallist revealed that he has successfully served his suspension and is ready to make the nation proud.
The African Champion said, “I do not have much to say about the suspension, I have taken it as the will of God and it is a very big lesson to me.
“The suspension came to me as a big shock and it took the Grace of God as well as encouragement from myself and individuals. I almost took my life after the news filtered round the Internet.
“I had just finished participating in various qualification rounds for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics where I qualified. I was coming back from the United Kingdom embassy where I went for a visa for an International Championship when the news broke. I became sad and did not know how to handle the situation but I thank God as well as the Anti-Doping for the education.
“I have served my 1 year, 6 months suspension; I am free and have learnt a big lesson. The incident has revealed who my true friends really are” he told www.aclsports.com
Ezuruike said his next target is to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and set another world record in the men’s -54kg weight class.
He said, “I am trying my best because we are still in the early part of the year and I have to start training gradually. I believe that I will do my best, commence training and make Nigeria proud at the 2024 Paralympic Games Qualifier in Dubai”.
“I still have what it takes in abundance to make Nigeria proud as long as there is Life. The power is there but all I need is encouragement and support in every area. If it is about the zeal, determination and power, to still defend my records as a champion, it’s still in my system. I am ready at any given time; wake me up at any time and I will deliver”, he added.
Ezuruike broke the Paralympic record in the men’s -54kg weight class at Rio 2016 when he lifted 200kg on his way to claiming gold.
The former African Games champion also achieved silver at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games before winning gold at Gold Coast 2018.
