Being in the close circle of a world superstar like Cristiano Ronaldo is obviously a big deal. Gaining the trust of arguably the best footballer that has ever graced the game doesn't come easy.
In 2019, the media was agog to the picture of the Juve star and Nigeria born former Portuguese sprinter, Francis Obikwelu working together. Ronaldo had sought the help of the sprinster to improve his speed.
The perfect location for the routine was Obikwelu's gym in Lisbon. The routine was intense and hectic as usual. The aim was to get the former footballer of the year back to his optimal best and no one couldn't have been more qualified than an Olympic silver medalist.
From the streets of Onitsha, a star was born.
Just like Ronaldo, Francis Obikwelu became a man out of his many adversaries.
Born in one of Nigeria's civil war, epicenter, Onitsha. Obikwelu's dream was to become a successful footballer but at the age of 14, one of his football coaches in Nigeria noticed him and suggested he try out athletics.
Transitioning from the football pitch to the tracks couldn't have been tasking, but after two years, he was representing Nigeria in the 1994 African Junior Championships and won the silver in the 400 meters.
This marked the beginning of an episode that will significantly change Obikwelu's life
He was soon on the train to the 1994 World Junior Championships in Portugal. The outing wasn't quite a successful one for the Nigerian contingent.
A Nigerian, but made in Portugal
While his colleagues returned home, Obikwelu decided to create a path for himself and remain in Portugal. A new environment far away from his hometown, he sought to join the two leading athletics academies, Sport Lisboa e Benfica and Sporting Clube de Portugal but was swiftly rejected. To survive, he worked as a construction worker in the Algarve. Respite couldn't have come at the right time when Francis was adopted by a Portuguese lady who he now proudly refers to as his “mother”.
Despite, finding a new home in a strange land, Obikwelu continued racing for Nigeria until 2000 at the Sydney Olympics where he was the second fastest man.
He returned from the games injured and there was no word from the Nigerian sports officials They left him to his predicament even though he picked up the injury while representing Nigeria. That wasn't all, there was more revelations.
“I forced myself to run up till the semi-final”, recounts Obikwelu, adding that "in the process, I did more harm to my knee." When the pain in the knee has become unbearable, Obikwelu visited an independent doctor who confirmed that the athlete needed immediate knee operation to save his career.
He traveled to Canada for the operation at his own expense. But when he returned to Nigeria unable to walk without crutches, he realised that some athletics officials stole the money for his operation.
“I went to AFN and was told that money had been approved for me, but they didn’t know where the money was,"
The raging frustration ensured he switched allegiance and started running for Portugal.
And ever since, the country has always looked out for him and in return, Obikwelu gave his heart.
Accolades!
Even after his retirement, Francis Obikwelu is the record holder for the fastest time in the 100m set by a European competitor with a time of 9.86 seconds in the colours of Portugal.
He finished second in the 100m at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, the first medal ever in athletics sprinting events for Portugal. He won 100m and 200m in 2006 at the European Championships in Athletics and became the first male athlete to win both 100 m and 200m in the European Championship.
In 2006, he was voted Waterford Crystal European Male Athlete of the Year by the European Athletic Association, in an internet poll open to member federations, media, and the general public.
“It was a great experience to train with my friend Francis Obikwelu on track.”
That was Ronaldo's reaction at the almost perfect job done. Another great guy has been added to his closely knitted circle and he is a Nigerian.
Igbo amaka!
Igbo amaka!!
Igbo amaka!!!

Frankdoz8:
Being in the close circle of a world superstar like Cristiano Ronaldo is obviously a big deal. Gaining the trust of arguably the best footballer that has ever graced the game doesn't come easy.
In 2019, the media was agog to the picture of the Juve star and Nigeria born former Portuguese sprinter, Francis Obikwelu working together. Ronaldo had sought the help of the sprinster to improve his speed.
The perfect location for the routine was Obikwelu's gym in Lisbon. The routine was intense and hectic as usual. The aim was to get the former footballer of the year back to his optimal best and no one couldn't have been more qualified than an Olympic silver medalist.
From the streets of Onitsha, a star was born.
Just like Ronaldo, Francis Obikwelu became a man out of his many adversaries.
Born in one of Nigeria's civil war, epicenter, Onitsha. Obikwelu's dream was to become a successful footballer but at the age of 14, one of his football coaches in Nigeria noticed him and suggested he try out athletics.
Transitioning from the football pitch to the tracks couldn't have been tasking, but after two years, he was representing Nigeria in the 1994 African Junior Championships and won the silver in the 400 meters.
This marked the beginning of an episode that will significantly change Obikwelu's life
He was soon on the train to the 1994 World Junior Championships in Portugal. The outing wasn't quite a successful one for the Nigerian contingent.
A Nigerian, but made in Portugal
While his colleagues returned home, Obikwelu decided to create a path for himself and remain in Portugal. A new environment far away from his hometown, he sought to join the two leading athletics academies, Sport Lisboa e Benfica and Sporting Clube de Portugal but was swiftly rejected. To survive, he worked as a construction worker in the Algarve. Respite couldn't have come at the right time when Francis was adopted by a Portuguese lady who he now proudly refers to as his “mother”.
Despite, finding a new home in a strange land, Obikwelu continued racing for Nigeria until 2000 at the Sydney Olympics where he was the second fastest man.
He returned from the games injured and there was no word from the Nigerian sports officials They left him to his predicament even though he picked up the injury while representing Nigeria. That wasn't all, there was more revelations.
“I forced myself to run up till the semi-final”, recounts Obikwelu, adding that "in the process, I did more harm to my knee." When the pain in the knee has become unbearable, Obikwelu visited an independent doctor who confirmed that the athlete needed immediate knee operation to save his career.
He traveled to Canada for the operation at his own expense. But when he returned to Nigeria unable to walk without crutches, he realised that some athletics officials stole the money for his operation.
“I went to AFN and was told that money had been approved for me, but they didn’t know where the money was,"
The raging frustration ensured he switched allegiance and started running for Portugal.
And ever since, the country has always looked out for him and in return, Obikwelu gave his heart.
Accolades!
Even after his retirement, Francis Obikwelu is the record holder for the fastest time in the 100m set by a European competitor with a time of 9.86 seconds in the colours of Portugal.
He finished second in the 100m at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, the first medal ever in athletics sprinting events for Portugal. He won 100m and 200m in 2006 at the European Championships in Athletics and became the first male athlete to win both 100 m and 200m in the European Championship.
In 2006, he was voted Waterford Crystal European Male Athlete of the Year by the European Athletic Association, in an internet poll open to member federations, media, and the general public.
“It was a great experience to train with my friend Francis Obikwelu on track.”

That was Ronaldo's reaction at the almost perfect job done. Another great guy has been added to his closely knitted circle and he is a Nigerian.

He did good for himself not for Nigeria neither for igbo

He is portuguese afterall...which one be streets of onitsha?? ..like say Ronaldo come dine with am for upper iweka...behave yourself!

All this epistle without photo?

Congratulations to the friend of Ronaldo.

Igbo Amaka!

Brandstudio01:
Hnmm. People get time Ooo.

Guys Instead of Wasting your Time and data on the Internet, i will teach you how to TRADE FOREX LIKE a PRO and earn not less than $10 - $100 with Your SMARTPHONE DAILY. See my signature to Drop me a message on WhatsApp

How much have you yourself been earning?

Brandstudio01:
Hnmm. People get time Ooo.

Guys Instead of Wasting your Time and data on the Internet, i will teach you how to TRADE FOREX LIKE a PRO and earn not less than $10 - $100 with Your SMARTPHONE DAILY. See my signature to Drop me a message on WhatsApp

go and teach your Yoruba Muslim people that are poverty ravaged. I'm living comfortably in Lagos with biz.

AskProf:


How much have you yourself been earning?

Well I wish I have the time for secondary school boys

ezenwajosh:


He did good for himself not for Nigeria neither for igbo

Leave igbo out. It is a nigeria thing. Nigeria did not value him Another country did.

Let me ask you a question, if Anthony oluwafemi Joshua was still in Nigeria, would he have being where he is today?

All those ministers taking pictures with him now because he has been appreciated by another country will refuse to take pics with upcoming talented boxers here in nigeria.

I know this guy since 2004. One of the best sprinters in Nigeria at the time. He really did himself a big favour by switching his allegiance to Portugal. He wouldn't have made a huge name for himself in Europe if he remained in Nigeria, a country powered by quota system, tribalism and mediocrity.
Nigeria is nothing but a rotten country where mediocrity and tribalism are valued more than raw human talents. That Jamaica, a tiny black nation in the Carrebean is making waves in athletics, competing with America in world Olympics way ahead of Nigeria, a supposed largest black country in the world is a Shame.
ONE NIGERIA IS DEAD!

ezenwajosh:


He did good for himself not for Nigeria neither for igbo

did you really red the story??

All I can say is Nigeria kills dream. But then una too dey tribalistic in dis country.

He was later awarded a gold medal, there by becoming the second Nigerian to win an individual Olympic medal after Chioma Ajunwa.

Frankdoz8:
go and teach your Yoruba Muslim people that are poverty ravaged. I'm living comfortably in Lagos with biz.

The people trooping to Yoruba Muslim territory to sell gala and pure water calling them poverty ravaged

saaron:
I know this guy since 2004. One of the best sprinters in Nigeria at the time. He really did himself a big favour by switching his allegiance to Portugal. He wouldn't have made a huge name for himself in Europe if he remained in Nigeria, a country powered by quota system, tribalism and mediocrity.
Nigeria is nothing but a rotten country where mediocrity and tribalism are valued more than raw human talents. That Jamaica, a tiny black nation in the Carrebean is making waves in athletics, competing with America in world Olympics way ahead of Nigeria, a supposed larget black country in the world is a Shame.
ONE NIGERIA IS DEAD!

Exactly!

Not only best friend,why not gay lover
I'm still searching for the "best friend" part o.This people sef and their inferiority complex.

tatatar:

The people trooping to Yoruba Muslim territory to sell gala and pure water calling them poverty ravaged

Ibadan is Yoruba Muslim territory, Lagos belongs to we Igbo's.

Hartugrin27:


Pls,,I'm interested ..
07014220720

please sir don't post you Number on this platform. For your own good

Brandstudio01:
Well I wish I have the time for secondary school boys

no money in forex. Only make money training people. Deceivers

there is no limit to success

Did anybody see that part they said his money for treatment was stolen?! Smh

Lol...this thing is major...US football squad usually has Nigerian footballers in it sometimes ...there's an Always ibom woman that was sprinting for Barbados in 2010,and 2014
Nigeria no de appreciate sport

Ronaldo doesn't know is papa

Odogwu aburo guy name

Nigerians have low self esteem. So its an achievement to be friends with Ronaldo? Why doesn't he become the Ronaldo of track?

he is now Portuguese!!