A few weeks after the news of her promotion to the post of a Divisional Police Officer broke; she became the mother of a set of triplets, two boys and a girl. Nigeria’s queen of the track, Chioma Ajunwa-Opara, spoke with YEMISI ADENIRAN on the joy of motherhood, her sports exploits and lots more. Excerpts

You have achieved rare feats having won Olympic gold, become a DPO and now mother of triplets. What would you attribute it to?

There is nothing and no one to attribute it to than God Almighty. He is the God of possibilities who has been steadfastly on my side since I started my race on earth. I was the last born of nine children born by Mr. and Mrs. James Ajunwa. I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth and that was why I did not complete my education as early as it was supposed to have been.

In 1988 when I completed my secondary education, I wrote JAMB, I passed but instead of my mother to be jump in excitement, she wept. This is not because she was not happy for me but because there was no money to send me to the university.

Of course, I lost the opportunity and couldn’t further my education again. Life hasn’t been easy but I thank God that He has been there for me. I was called into the Police Force that same year; in August precisely.

Alongside this, I was into sports and started beating everyone in my team such that in no time, I became a golden fish that had no hiding place. As I was winning championships in sports, I was being promoted in the Police Force. I cannot explain it myself and that is why the said achievements so far, can only be attributed to some special preference I enjoyed from God.

To the glory of God Almighty, the helpless girl of that fateful year whose future appeared bleak is now living a fulfilled life. I can’t thank God enough.

To the praise of God, I am the ninth child of my parents, the last born and amazingly, the bread winner. I can never stop praising God. As for the blessing of my babies, it is just another evidence of God’s special love for me. I serve a God who is big and is always doing big, big things for me. He has never left me nor looked down on me despite my weaknesses.

That’s why I always tell people that I am a child of destiny. Everything I have today, I have by the grace of God Almighty.

How did it feel when you won gold at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996?

I was humbled. I didn’t think I was going to win any medal least of all gold. All I did then was to put in my best and stood out. Before the event, some of my friends had told me they dreamt of me winning a gold medal and I simply told them they must have suffered from malaria fever. I mean, with all the big athletes around, how could they have gone to have such a dream. I simply waved it off.

It was not as if I felt inferior to them, but honestly, I wasn’t expecting a gold medal. When I won it, I did not know what it meant until I got to Nigeria and saw the crowd.

When I saw the caliber of people and the number, I ran back. I was scared, I asked my coach what that was all for and he said it was all because of the gold medal I won. He said Nigeria didn’t win in it in 52 years, so, it was a big record I broke. The crowd was something else. The fame, the goodwill that came with it is awesome. I thank God for all.

As a child, did you envisage any of the two careers you found yourself doing now?

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/saturday-mirror/woman/im-a-child-of-destiny-chioma-ajunwa/

Me too, am an aurhority here on earth

First to comment.... Children know where u come from cuz ma ppl said aku ruo uno amara onye kpatara ya

Uh oh , hope this doesnt encourage illiterates to mass reproduce 10 kids and above till one 'bread-wins'

She's right. Chioma is an Icon. I remember Atlanta '96 like it was yesterday; Nigeria's first Olympic Gold Medalist. I love her!

A child of destiny is what she is. She can do no wrong as far as I am concerned. . .no questions asked.

Still in the police,I never see am for road o,lolzzz

Indeed you are. Keep enjoying His grace.

Kemy11: First to comment.... Children know where u come from cuz ma ppl said aku ruo uno amara onye kpatara ya

first to comment?..... Where your gold medal?

I must tell, you are not gratful to your Lord! because you are still associating partners with...not untill you're able to differenciate between GOD and JESUS and do the right...therefore, I pray He guides you and your kinds

Kemy11: First to comment.... Children know where u come from cuz ma ppl said aku ruo uno amara onye kpatara ya

YOU SURE? UWAUDE

Yes oh! God is indeed faithful to those who trust in Him.if u see what He is doing 4 mua...ihe neme! I am a child of destiny too

Congrats Chioma. I hope you will put in your best in the two new roles God has assigned you to now. DPO and Mummy triplets.

This lady worths all respect from Nigerian and any human on this planet.
As an alien citizen in Lagos Nigeria, I love this lady, with whom I want to share my love of God Almighty.

*yaaaaaaaaaawning*if una read finish tap me*

Congrats Chybaby! Am sooooo proud of u dear!

Chioma is a golden girl anyday...

4m sports 2 police, nawa o. Na only 4 naija ds dy hpn. Else wr, its 4m sports 2 coaching.

4m sports 2 police, nawa o. Na only 4 naija ds dy hpn. Else wr, its 4m sports 2 coaching. Bt women 2 much o.

Nice comments here!
I'm impressed that others too are claiming it for themselves too that they are children of destiny instead of beefing and criticizing her.

Imagine hausa kill igbo wella during biafra cus then be cowards.even thier agbari ojukwu abi agbari socket run like mad.no bad things wey igbo no dey inside robbery stealing. kidnap ritual

idowuswap: Imagine hausa kill igbo wella during biafra cus then be cowards.even thier agbari ojukwu abi agbari socket run like mad.no bad things wey igbo no dey inside robbery stealing. kidnap ritual

WTF!!!
This is not the right place for this kind of tribalistic post, pls don't derail this thread.

[i][/i]tappin...u can wake up donald

idowuswap: Imagine hausa kill igbo wella during biafra cus then be cowards.even thier agbari ojukwu abi agbari socket run like mad.no bad things wey igbo no dey inside robbery stealing. kidnap ritual

wht could ds one has 2 do wt ds thread now,instead of u 2 keep quiet 4 not havin any reasonable thing 2 comment u started quotn rubish,som ppl no just get common sense..mtsheeew!

salafiyy: I must tell, you are not gratful to your Lord! because you are still associating partners with...not untill you're able to differenciate between GOD and JESUS and do the right...therefore, I pray He guides you and your kinds

this is where the people of the most violent religion always get it wrong. They pretend to know God almighty but there are doing the work of their father satan the devil and his prophet muhammed

idowuswap: Imagine hausa kill igbo wella during biafra cus then be cowards.even thier agbari ojukwu abi agbari socket run like mad.no bad things wey igbo no dey inside robbery stealing. kidnap ritual

Thunder fire all your useless generations, what about the ogun forest that is sucking the bloods of the innocent bus passengers in the South West? Your Yoruba tribe's 13yrs old girl counld not come out of a deep freezer while his father took ritual money bribe and buried her over nite. Yoruba are the worst human beigns on this earth. Enemies of progress. How many of your yoruba men and women achieved what Chioma Ajunwa achieved in sports? apart from breeding of stray children the Area boys all over the south West Animalistic kingdom. Go and get a life ass hole.Useless bigot.

And so fv*kin wat? Mk we begin cry? I don tire 4 NL sef

Kemy11: First to comment.... Children know where u come from cuz ma ppl said aku ruo uno amara onye kpatara ya

You are always missing the mark by just a little fraction of time. But keep it on bro. With more hard work and diligence, you will surely prevail and REALLY become the first to comment

@idowuswap, u ar one of the most stupid person and the newest mad man in town, who likes heating up unnecessary tribalistic comments btw igbo n yoruba. Seun, because of this kind of brothers u have, NL has stated losing popularity. Wat connection has dat idiot's comment wit Ajunwa success. Mr man, if u dnt change u wnt live to celeb d new nigeria. Olodo.

Igbo people are highly talented and should be given more opportunity in the country

onyekabe: this is where the people of the most violent religion always get it wrong. They pretend to know God almighty but there are doing the work of their father satan the devil and his prophet muhammed

Don't worry, we shall come to know who is on the right path i.e who's father is SATAN, when the time comes

Gentle Naaz: 4m sports 2 police, nawa o. Na only 4 naija ds dy hpn. Else wr, its 4m sports 2 coaching. Bt women 2 much o.

She was already a police while into sports, she was being promoted because of her performances in the police games