Studied Art at West End Mixed Secondary School Asaba
Went to Western Texas College
Went to West End High School
Lives in Asaba, Nigeria
Single
From Sapele, Nigeria
Followed by 237 people
Oduduru emerged as the overall best athlete, when Nigeria hosted the maiden African Youth Championship (AYAC) in Warri, Delta State in March this year. He won two gold medals in the 100m and 200m before anchoring the nation’s medley relay team to victory.
Speaking with The Guardian on arrival in Donetsk, venue of the competition, Coach Agboro, who has retired from the civil service, revealed that his determination to fish out hidden talents led to the discovering of Oduduru few years ago during an Inter House Sports competition in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
“I was in charge of sports at the Delta State University, Abraka, when I was recalled to Asaba. As the head of the state athletics team, I took it upon myself to always go to sporting events, especially inter house sports competitions within and outside the state capital.
“At the inter house sports competition by West End Mixed Secondary School in Asaba, I saw this young boy performed wonder. Then, Oduduru was in the junior class (JSS2). His speed, stride and the way he took off from the block reminded me of some world-class athletes. After the race I moved in and that was how I have been guiding him since then.
Speaking further, Agboro said, “before the Warri 2013 AYAC Games, Oduduru ran 10.51 seconds in one of the competitions. When he ran 10.62 seconds to win the 100m during AYAC, I did not applaud him. The reason is simple. I told him that his performance was not encouraging because I expected him to run a better time than 10.62 seconds.
“But I also realised that my absence at the AYAC Games might have affected his performance. Since I came into the camp, Oduduru has picked up greatly. I am not trying to say that the other coaches are not good. No, they have their areas of specialties just as I have mine.
“Before Oduduru left Nigeria for Ukraine, he could easily do with 21.00 seconds in the 200m event and that is encouraging considering his young age. He is just coming out of secondary school and by the time we finish work on him, I am sure he will be a product for our Rio 2016 Olympics Games project. He has the potentials,” Agboro stated.
Oduduru is fondly called ‘Antelope’ by his fans due to his speed. He is not the only athlete the coach discovered for Team Nigeria in the competition.
“I also discovered Charles Okezie, who is the second fastest young sprinter in Africa at the moment. He is also a student of West End Mixed Secondary School in Asaba. He is currently in SS11 at the moment.
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