By Akinwale Kasali
Little or nothing was known about him until he won the nation its first ever Gymnastics Gold Medal at the 2019 All African Games in Morocco.
The 24- Year old sensation distinguished himself; winning Nigeria’s first-ever Gold medal in the event at the last African Games in Morocco, setting his eyes on becoming the first Nigerian to participate in this sport at the Olympic Games. It is hoped that his performances will endear more people to the sport.
Since achieving that historic feat, Uche Eke has never looked back, as he strives to register the Nation’s name in history by becoming the first ever Nigerian to hoist the Green White Green Flag at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games rescheduled for this year.
He is set to participate in the African Gymnastics Qualification series slated for May 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. If he qualifies, he will participate in six categories.
Eke’s determination to be at the Olympic Games was boosted following the support, applaud and the love shown to him by Nigerians at the All African Games when he won the Gold Medal.
According to him, “I was overwhelmed with the show of love and the way the Nigerian crowd chanted my name. I was so impressed. The way and manner I held the Nation’s flag was fulfilling, though, I have never held the flag before. It boosted me to do more.
“Being at the Olympics will be amazing, holding the Green White Green Flag will be great, and it means everything to me”,he said.
Born to a Nigerian Father, Chief Daniel Eke, from Abia State, and a United States of America Mother from New Orleans, his passion for Gymnastics started at the tender age of Four, through the influence of his friend, Kevin.
“I have been doing gymnastics since I was four years old, so it has been part of my life. At a time my dad said to me that if I failed my classes, then I would have to drop gymnastics, and since I didn’t want to drop my favourite sport. I told him I was not going to fail. So I started working a lot harder on both my studies and gymnastics. In the U.S., as an athlete, you go to college because of your sport. Based on mum and dad’s difference of opinions, I was able to use that to my own advantage to get the best out of education and sports. It’s like a win-win situation for me from both ends. I was also lucky to have gone to the University of Michigan which is arguably number one in sports. I was happy to make mum and dad happy. Although it was more strenuous, I am glad to have achieved my goals of graduating, and also making headway in gymnastics”.
Eke added that he started doing backflips and always landed on his head forcing his Mother asking him to quit or learn it properly. The zeal, passion and consistency however paid off, making him what he his today.
Since the age of three, he has always visited Nigeria twice a year, and he likes eating Fufu and Egusi soup.
Uche’s ultimate goal is to be at the Olympics in the summer to make the Nation proud.
