This is at the bucket with Geo, got a great show for y'all. This is Uche Ekay. I actually grew up with this kid. He's a funny dude and we're talking about him being the first Nigerian Olympic gymnast, his Michigan experience and his gymnastics background and much, much more.
Super excited for this. Let's get to it. Alright, this is episode one of at the bucket. I'm Geo and I'm here with Uche Ekay, AKA Uche Mantello, AKA Papa Uche, AKA V first Nigerian Olympic gymnast.
What up, dog? Hey, there you go. Represent. Yeah, it's great to have you one.
Yeah, it's an amazing thing to have one of the guys that I grew up with get to be in that conversation of best in the world and being able to compete at that level. So before we get into all that though, let's take it way back. Tell the people where you're from. Tell the people where we both came from.
We came from Fairland, Genesic Sports and Aquatic Center. No, it's in E.G. County, Maryland. I'm from MoCo, you guys know better.
I'm from the U.G. County, boy. Yeah. Yeah, but yeah, I just want to touch on that a little bit just because I know for me, Fairland was a very special place.
You know, it got, you know, it's not like the biggest gym, you know, not everybody, you know, when I went to OU, no one really heard of Fairland. It's like, what gym you went to? Fairland is like, I have no idea. It's like, well, cool.
But like, yeah, talk about Fairland and what your experience was there. So, you know, Fairland was awesome. I started at the age of four. I remember my mom took me to my first practice and I was asleep in the car.
I didn't want to get out. So I actually missed the first practice. But, you know, like the first coach I had there was Coach Liu. Yes, shout out to Coach Liu.
Yeah. And, you know, he was great. He saw that I had like potential and gymnastics because I believe I did like a tough plant or something at a really young age. And then from there, he just moved me to level four at whatever age I was.
And then, you know, training throughout, met Coach Adam before he went to college. Actually, he ran into him at his college. I was like nine years old. That's always crazy to see coaches outside of the gym.
Like, what? That's crazy. Dropping off my friend Kevin's, uh, older brother to college. And I was like, Coach Adam.
But, um, that's hilarious. Other than that, you know, like growing up, training with your host here, Joe Money, D'Sondie. And, you know, I had Tyler, everyone, just all the order hurts. And, um, I wasn't in your group at first.
I was in a younger group, a long time. And then when Adam came back, we all started working together. And, you know, that was a special group. I remember that last year with, you know, me, you, Tyler, Justin, uh, hold it all level 10s.
I was just a special group of people. And it was like, especially because we were not like, um, in the biggest gym. Like, we, it was like, we never had like a team, uh, before that. Like, it was like only the later years where like we actually built something and we're like, oh, dang, this is super, super fun.
It's so much fun to have that. And those are memories that I always cherish. Just like so much fun competing against you all the time and like, trying to, you know, trying to do all these things. And, uh, oh man, I just remember the days when I was actually better than you on panels.
All right. So back. All right. Hello, story.
Um, coach Blue used to make us do, uh, like hit a certain amount of circles. Well, I'm more cream. I just want to say I'm sorry. Jojo because like, do you remember what go?
You're in Leschman from maybe he would go do like 10 circles. And then, oh my God. If we each did 30 of these, right? It was like, yeah, it was like 300 circles between like seven or eight of us.
And so it was like his mind, his thinking, lose thinking was like, if you guys all do, you know, 30 to 40, you're going to make it easy. But then, you know, all you guys would do like 10, 20 and then it'll go to me and just be like, I have to do 70 circles right now. This is fun. I don't know what happened every single time.
I did my 30 some of those times, you know. Oh man, those are just good times, man. Just like, um, being able to remember those moments and like just the, the start of that, of your career and all of our careers and gymnastics. It's, it's something special to reminisce about and like shout out to Fairland too.
Like, um, you know, we're all doing our thing. You know, I went to OU. Um, dear and much of him now is that Navy Donovan. He's at Ohio State now.
We got you going to the Olympics. So it's like, it's something cool. And I just want to like highlight that a little bit more. Um, just to, you know, shout out to Fairland and show love to where we all came from.
I think that's super important. And you know, something to take away from is, you know, you don't have to be going to this big gyms. You don't have to be going to, um, you know, have the best equipment to be able to do something special with your gymnastics. So, um, last question really about Fairland is like, what's something that's stuck with you, um, from that time?
You know, um, just seeing, like, you know, when we were a young, we saw like Eddie Crane. Yeah. He's doing Cirque now. It's like, you got it all over the place.
It's awesome. All over the world. So like, just, you know, growing up, seeing him do like all those crazy things and then like the triple back on floor for like everyone else is doing it. You know, he's like one of the first, if not the first.
Um, and like, so that just, you know, inspired me to like stick with it. You know, I want to do that. You know, I want to do all these cool stuff and then just having like a team that, you know, I hung out with you guys like you guys are my boys. You know, I didn't really hang out with anyone, but especially like middle school, especially like I didn't hang out with anyone other than like my board Kevin, me and Danny, all of them.
But, um, it was just you guys like, we would hang out, you know, I ate my pop tarts. You know, you yelled at me for wasting my mom's money with a dollar 25 every single day. You would always ask for my chicken dakes too. I would buy them off of you or something.
Yo, if y'all didn't know, I would bring an extra one just for you. Just for you all. You'll be $5 for that. And then it was also fun, you know, like, of course we always got into arguments and stuff like the whole team just argue with each other.
But, you know, it's all out of love. You know, Donovan hated me. You know, he hated me too. I remember that.
Um, dear, we always. I know, yo, it's got a beard and everything is crazy. Man, like, that's all of them, man. I would love to get them on the show.
Oh, man, that'd be so much fun. That'd be so much fun. Awesome, bro. Yeah, I think that's less than mindset too.
Like, all those contests, all those things that we used to do, like, I feel like all of us still have that mentality and that's just helped, you know, helped me. I see it's definitely helped you, you know, with going on to college and getting to that next level. So, like, let's talk about that a little bit. You know, obviously, I remember when you were, you know, trying to go to different schools, you know, sending out videos.
What was that process like? Because, you know, not much, not many people knew about us. So, like, it was hard to, you know, get your name out there. How was that?
Yeah, like, honestly, like, you know, my parents aren't good with technology. So, like, I had, like, it was all because of you guys, you know, like, you guys took from me as me and stuff. And like, I remember we came into the gym one day, we were like, yo, we should, like, you gotta send videos to the colleges because, like, no one knows a family and really, like, we do well at nationals and stuff, but it's like, fairly. No one's really looking for us because there's not that name recognition.
And I feel like someone with I learned, because I was a year ahead of you. And that's something that I learned. And I think, I feel like I kind of did a little late too. So, like, I didn't get, I feel like I didn't get as many responses as I could have.
And so, like, once I did that, you know, fortunately I got to owe you and it was a great experience for me. But, like, for you, I was definitely like, yo, you gotta do this now and, like, be able to do this. And so, I remember you, you know, sending me, or showing me, you know, the email back from Michigan. What was that, like, you know, having that feeling of recognition for that?
It was awesome until I replied to the wrong school. I didn't hear about this. What did you do here? So, I didn't even know I got into Michigan and I felt nationals because apparently my parents knew, but like, did I apply to Michigan State?
And I got in. So then, you know, me, like, I was like, all right, whatever, like, I see these emails. I'm already in. Don't do anything.
Like, not anything, anything. And then, like, I believe it was either Jeff, Corgan, email me or something. It was like, yo, we haven't got to receive your application. Something like that.
And then I had to wait until, like, so I applied late basically to set up early. And so, yeah, like, I found out at nationals, like, right after the competition. I was hanging out with Donovan and, like, some other people, maybe dealing with it. And then, like, he just walks over to me and was like, yo, so you ready to start coming in in the summer?
And I'm like, wait, I got in? And he was like, what? And I was like, huh? He's like, oh, I'm in.
I went over to my mom and she's like, yeah, I got in. And I was just like, whoa. That's so funny. Usually at nationals, that's like, you know, late May, June, you already know, you know, like, you're usually already know by that time.
Yeah. I was rotating with, like, my teammate apparently. And he knew, like, I mean, like, I remember he was wearing, like, I got a little less, but they're wearing a Michigan shirt. Oh, Michigan.
I'm like, yeah, I mean, I'll see you soon. I was like, yeah, like what? You're just so clueless, bro. You already know that.
That's hilarious. Oh, man, I did not know that. That's so, so funny. I was like, every school I applied to was in long school, but I applied to Ohio college and said, Ohio.
No, I was in university. Like, I was like talking to them. They said, they'll send me like an app or something. And then the next email I received was like from OU and it said advanced application.
I was like, oh, that was quick. So then I applied and I got in. I was like, all right. Oh my God.
I'm happy that worked out for you because that could have went a whole other way. Well, I always wanted to go to Michigan though. Yeah. Yeah.
It was amazing. I mean, you've had an amazing time with, you know, that program. Talk about that transition from J.O. to college.
How was that for you? So, um, since I went early, I was with Anthony McCongum, Matt Whitaker and E.M.R. Cole. So Anthony and E.M.R.
are doing together, Matt, room with a football player and I room with a wrestler. So, um, like my first experience, like I walk in there and then of course I want to see my teammates are, and I went there with my boy Nilly and I'm just like playing music. Just like, you know, college. I got just, you know, I just be Matt Whitaker.
I'm like, who are you? And he's like, oh, the Migos, I love the Migos. He goes, I'm Matt Whitaker. Nice to meet you.
We're teammates. Nice. Just straight out the game, y'all were wilding out already. Yeah, and then, um, Matt, Anthony and E.M.R.
by Anthony was giving me the cold shoulder the whole time until like, I don't know, a week after or something. But yeah, then when I first went in the gym, you know, um, I remember Matt and I were taking it like really serious, like before practice, we, um, used to like go on like a run outside or like, they had like a pull up arm. We did our own workouts and I'm looking at how strong he is. I'm like, whoa, I need to get strong.
Yeah. And then going there and everyone's like, Maltese's and stopping. Uh, coach, I was like, let me see your rings and I'm like, nah, I don't. Okay.
Let me tell the audience about Uche, bro. On high bar on rings, you know, in, in, in high school in jail, this man can barely do a press handstand. He would be on P Mars. I'd be keeping up at press.
And it's just like, oh man, I just wanted it like, that's just so funny to me, you know, like, because that's like, that level of college is just like a whole not a level. And it's like, you, you have to realize, yeah, I got to step my game up because I mean, I was the same way too, you know, like when I came in and I just realized, oh, gang, these guys are legit. I need to, I need to get my, get myself together to be able to get my basics good because that was, it's a rude awakening coming in that freshman year. Dude, like my pommel dismount, like I did.
I know it. But it's just like, all right, first thing we're fixing. You know, I think say that also. Yeah.
I just got to say, man, like that, that evolution of your gymnastics is like, from these, you know, past couple of years from your high, you know, senior high school and to do in, you know, the things that you're doing now is incredible. Not just, you know, the big, big skills, you know, obviously you can do those and you're doing them in high school, but just that foundation that you built in college is like, it's, you know, night and day now. And you know, you know, coming into practice, being able to do those presses on rings, doing all that, you know, it's, it's huge. And I think that's something that's super important in what, you know, people got to realize about gymnastics is you want to do the big skills, you got to do all the little things first too.
So, so tedious, what you have to do with it. Yeah, for sure. Sure. Like, reflecting back on family and like, man, I wish I did those 20 leg lifts and stuff.
Yeah. Yeah. It's like, oh, dang, I could have been doing this, this, like, oh, man. Yeah.
It's, it's, it's definitely a really big thing coming in. But like, um, going off that, you know, how was your, how was that, how was that college experience? How's that shaped your gymnastics career? You know, it made me like love it more because I'm going with, I'm going to practice like every day with like my teammates who are like, we just talked to nastics, you know, we're, we start living together and then, you know, we go hang out do our thing, but then like, you know, like when we're sitting down, you know, we get to stay with our leg up.
But for gymnastics, you know, like, it wouldn't be weird for me to randomly start stretching in the house, you know. Yeah. We're like, we're like rolling out and stuff like there's any, you know, treatment nonstop in the house talking and laughing and coming out with better routines, you know, helping each other. So, who just, you know, a bunch of.
Yeah. So, you know, if that's an under, you know, appreciate aspect of the college experiences, you can get that back and forth with, you know, your teammates and, you know, they become your closest friends because you're with them, you know, so much. And you're, again, like you said, you're living with them. So you can always, you're always in that environment like, Oh, what if I do this, this, this, and like, what if I start, what if I switch up these two skills, I can do this scale and then bump up that start and then, you know, you get that reorganization and it's like, it's always on your mind and it's like a good environment to be and to be the best gymnast that you can be.
So that's really, really cool. Yeah. What's something that you've learned that has stuck with you now from NCAA's? Just that, like, you know, it's hard to do stuff on my own.
We have a team like you guys can accomplish anything, you know, like we won big tens, like season big tens before the season got canceled, but we're all like, we're all in that same like sad spot together because, you know, like I had people to lean on, like we all lean on each other. You know, like stuff gets hard when time gets hard, you have other people that are either going through the same thing or have been through it. Like I had surgery, you know, it was a hard time and my other teammates had surgery too. And I remember helping them through it.
So they helped me. So it just makes life easier when you have like a group of close friends doing the same thing that you're doing and have the same goal. And although I wasn't there to compete this year for big tens because loss is different and stuff, but we won big tens. You know, I thought part of it, I was there, you know, but I was pretty.
Yeah, you were like the manager, right? Of the team. So how was that transition going from, yeah, competing for Michigan and managing the team for Michigan? You know, I was just, you know, coding.
I'm just kidding. Honestly, I thought we were like honestly, honestly, they're not like that part. But the fact that I was even to be around them and vote like, it's like, like, along with the teammates, you know, like I was there throughout the whole process. Like, and like they didn't treat me any differently.
Like I was still a team, like I was still a teammate. You know, it's how it was awesome. Like, I thought I was honestly relieved because I, you know, didn't have to like, freak out all the time. I'm competing, you know.
It is a relief. You know, you don't have to, you know, put that hand up and, you know, hit that set. But I also think, you know, it's a different kind of anxiety because you're not in control. You have to be watching the other people go and like, you just have to have faith in them.
And it's like, it's also another type of nervousness where it's just like, I can't do anything about it, but like, I don't have to. It's like, I don't want to say something for the beat. Like, I hate it. I understand when you're competing.
Like, you don't want someone to tell you what change right before you compete. And I was just like, got it. Like, you know, like something like that. Yeah.
And it's fun being that guy, you know, get that energy up, do all that stuff. So that's like, that's a good thing. So let's talk about, you know, your time for team Nigeria, when did you start doing, when did you start competing for Nigeria and how did that get started? So, um, Kurt Golder told me he was like, we've had other people compete where like, they're home countries and stuff.
Have you thought about that? And I was like, that was my best year. I was like, okay. Yeah, I'm a dual citizen.
Like, let's get this, get this rolling. And, you know, got to start from the bottom. So like my first competition wasn't really a competition. It was like a chain of thing or something.
But it was to me, it was a training camp. You know, like, I got to do, I got to go there, had to chance to just compete and just like meet a lot of people in South Africa. So that's a really good moment. And then through that coach, I met like the main, like, gymnastics federation.
And so it's called NGS, Nigerian Gymnastics Federation. And from there, I went to like, Morocco, which is all African games and all this is way bigger than I expected. It happens every four years. I didn't know that.
It's basically the Olympics of Africa. Right. Right. Yeah.
Right. Similar to Pan American games, I feel like, because they do that every four years. Yeah. Yeah.
I was talking to Paul June and he, he, like, correct me because I said, you know, Pan American games, but apparently, you know, the, um, it's a championship. It's not every four years. So it's Pan American games last year, but this year is the championships. So like, it's, yeah.
That's how it is for me to this year. It was African championships and like 2019 knows all African games. Yeah. That makes sense.
Yeah. So we have all the different continents have the, you know, the games as well. That's kind of cool. Yeah.
Yeah. Right. Right there. You know, shout out to him.
We had a good interview yesterday. So that was pretty sweet. Um, but yeah, um, let's talk a little bit more about, um, this Africa. This African championships because this was the Olympic year.
Um, what did you need to do coming in to secure a spot for the Olympic, uh, for the Olympics? You know, I just, just had to keep my head focused on that one goal. I've been here about it in my whole life, you know, um, when I finished up my last month is that Michigan. Thankfully, I'm able to come back home, have a place to train with you and add them and everyone.
And then, you know, like you guys hope, you know, like, and light in my mood. So I won't be like that nervous. So when I came to practice, I did some routines on some events and then, you know, afterwards we do a stick contest. Yeah.
Still sick. Still the stick. Okay. For those of you who don't know, we don't know.
I may lose a stick, uh, competition, but I'll stick. And you did. Oh, that was awesome. I told you.
I was, I was so high. But you did that. That double pipe was just like, it was a good one. Yeah.
Let's talk a little bit more about that competition. Um, so you needed to be, you needed to be the top two, right? And all around for the country. So, so, um, yeah.
So you ended up getting third all around, but the first two people were Egyptian, right? So it's one Egyptian and then one Nigerian because you were the second place country. In that. Yeah.
So, um, yeah. Talk about like going into it, knowing what you were knowing. What was that stake? What was the first event that you did?
Of course. It was, it was so funny because I'm hanging out with the South African team and we're just like, someone with each other and I was like, you know, I wouldn't be that opposed to anyone horse. Although like, that's my like, best event, but I can get brains for a self away. You know, okay.
Yeah. I'm just like, rings, man. I gotta get rained. Um, and then I did some routines.
Uh, back in Michigan where I started on what, vault to end on rings. I'm just like, yo, this is the case. God, not on my side. Um, and then so like when I was at the competition, I was like, so like I said, I was talking to the South African team and they're like, what event?
I was like, I'd want to start on floor and then if not floor, like basically. Palm Wars was my second least favorite event to start on. So like, I was like, yeah, I was like, okay. Okay.
Pray to God. I don't start on vault and end on rings and then pray to God. I don't start on bumblers. I don't want to start about that event.
Right. And then as I said that, like, yo, we forgot we were starting. He's like, yeah, dude, you're on horse. I'm like, oh, man.
Yeah. I remember, I remember, um, cause I watched it and I watched the African games or championships and I remember I got right on right on time. Like I got on like the person before you on floor and then I saw you on horse. I was like, I just was like, oh, no, I started on horse.
Yeah. Talk a little bit more about that. Like, why is that such an issue for you? Like, what makes it, what makes it so hard to start on horse?
So it's not that hard. It's like, you know, it's like my best event. Like if I were to follow or do something bad, then my whole feed is over. But I did, I hit a decent set, you know, like, you got those nerves out the way.
Um, and then I think that's kind of a plus to like knowing, you know, going into African games and being like, okay, this is something I didn't want to do. But you know, you can hit it and you did it. So going into Olympics, I think that's, you know, that's one of the things where you can say like, yeah, it's something that I didn't prefer to do, but you're able to do it if necessary, which is good. Um, and so, but a plus is the next event is rings.
You get to get that over with. So, um, rings is not, you know, your best event, but you, you know, it was, it was okay. Right. I'm down.
I got stronger, bro. Yeah. So old me would have just felt right. Right.
Yeah. It's like, yeah, like you, you've been working that press for sure. Yeah, still some work to do, huh? Those 10 presses I did at the end of my last practice.
Yeah. Always, always remember you got to be, you got to work on those little things because that's what's going to get you like when all the nerves are on, you know, when everything's on the line nerves are up to, you know, all the way up. It's going to be, that's the little things are going to be the ones that you forget about and hesitate and, you know, mess up on. So, yeah, it could also you for that prep.
Um, and on to the next one, and volt. Yeah. Yeah. You know, I was, I, I FaceTime, I teammate Ryan.
I was like, I remember asking him the day before, um, during podium training. So like the first day I got there, it was at nighttime. So I didn't do anything. I didn't do anything.
But then that Tuesday, I said, you know what? One on six. Like there's, there's much. I didn't really do high bar set, but like one on six.
And then, um, on Wednesday, I was talking to Ryan. I was like, do I need to do a vault? He's like, man, you've been doing that for so long. Like, why are you asking?
So I didn't even warm up vault. Or just taking my energy because I knew I'd have to like run down and like change the setting. Right. So, um, you know, I just felt really confident on that.
Um, even when I competed for Michigan, like my warm up was just crappy anyway, but like vomit. But then as soon as I raised my hand, it's like a good high pressure. It's that pressure. It's a good thing.
You know, you have that mentality of, you know, stepping up at that, at the right moments, which is really, really good. And I think it's, you know, it's a sign of maturity being that, you know, confident in what you've done beforehand. And, you know, if, um, if you can do that, then if you know you can do it, you know, you can do it. Um, and that's, that's something that, you know, definitely be able to, um, have that at the Olympics would be, that's, that's what you want.
That's what I meant to tell you that you want for sure. Um, we get to P bars. You get that stick. So P bars, you know, you saw, I was perfectly like P tan.
Um, during podium training, like I hit it perfectly. Like it was really like straight lady. Um, you know, not, not. But then when it was competition, you know, I was like, okay, first and foremost, I got to make sure my Hanma, I don't pike up until handstand.
So I did that. I was like, whoa, that's perfect. Like this is perfect lock on Pete. I go for it.
And then like, I guess something happened. I don't know, but I like hit my hand and like jam my fingers on Pete. And I was like, coaches, this is why I don't do lock on Pete. And then I was like, oh, so then the rest of the routine, like after the heli, because I like, like helis are good for me.
But, um, like after I did the heli, I just reverted to my old gymnastics. And I was like, you know, I'm just going to hit whatever. And then for the dismount, I was like, you know, at times like these, you know, I got a stick. That was pretty awesome too.
Cause I remember, um, I remember, you know, us practicing us doing the state game. Um, I want, you know, just to let people know I was. And I was just like, bro, you, I was like, all right, bro, like that was the day before you left, I think. And I was like, all right, bro, you best stick it at the meat then.
And then you're just like, yep, I'm doing it. Definitely. I just got so high when you, uh, when you stuck that double pipe. I was just like, yeah, I did my part.
But yeah, that's the number one thing that will get that hit. Um, have that solid routine building the high bar. That's one of your best events as well. Um, yeah, take us through that.
So at this point, I was looking at the scores. I think I was like in, uh, second place or something like that. And then, um, like the podium train for that I did my release everything. It was like perfect and practice the day before.
So this time I was like, you know what? I really don't want to mess up. Let me bring it close. And after that, I was like, sluicell.
Right. I don't back door the top half. Cause I did that for, um, and then, you know, like when I did the dismount, you know, just just felt natural to me landed. I was like, all right, I'll take that.
It was fun. It was just like, I was really hyped. Um, that's one thing though that I'm not going to let, um, that I won't bring into like the Olympics. Like when I do high bar at the Olympics, there's no bringing in clothes and there's no bringing in the bar.
You got it. You got to hit it. It's got to be perfect. I'm going to trust everything.
Like nothing. Nothing to lose at that point. For sure. Yeah, you got to go for it.
Definitely. It's, I mean, it's the Olympics. Yeah. You got to go for it.
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Yeah. Yeah. Like, honestly, like you have a difficulty too. Like I've seen you do casino, Colman, Kovacs, like I've seen you do all these high level skills.
And so, you know, I think is like that would be the goal for you, right? Try and, you know, get all those skills in your set and, you know, maybe, you know, get that, get to that final spot. That would be an incredible achievement. That would be insane.
I mean, just going to the Olympics is incredible. But if, you know, that would be crazy, you know, team that you're coming out of nowhere. And I see it. Yeah.
I see it. I see it. I see it. I see it with the green tips on my hair.
Too bad. I'm ready for it. Man, that's going to be great. But yeah, going on to floor, you were, you had a pretty, pretty good lead, right?
About a little more than a point going in in that third place spot. So yeah, what was your mindset going on to floor and, you know, like trying to get that last set done. So after I bar like, um, that's actually the only event that I actually looked at because they flash the scores real fast. Um, and my start by was off.
And I was like, wait, what? So I was like, you know, not to think about Florida yet and trying to like figure out how to change it and stuff. And then I remember seeing, like, I think they messed up my homework start my attempt or something. But I'm like, thinking the whole time, like, Wow, they messed up my start by it was I haven't even like, I didn't even double check any of that.
Um, but going to floor, you know, and look up. And then I remember telling my dad, I was like, floor is my last bit. Um, I know I'm going to. I know I'm going to, I'm going to try my best not to look at the scores.
He's like, Oh, no, you're going to see it. I know you always look at the scores. And so, you know, I looked at it. I had a little smirk on my face.
And then I was just like, man, I almost had like, that's a man. As long as I went on my feet. Right. Yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking.
Because they flat, they showed like the totals on the screen for on the stream and I was just like, which I just just hit this set bro. Like just hit this set and you'll be good. Yeah. Stayed on your feet.
Yeah. So like, um, I was actually really tired too. Uh, they're some gay teenagers, you know. Um, and then my first, uh, I did like my double full, my double full and I took a huge step.
I'm like, Oh, wait, I got it like not relaxed this much. And I was like, wait, don't fall. And then when I get to my dismount, I'm just like, and they're just like this, uh, you did it in. And I was like, yo, I qualified.
If I ran, if I land, right. You want to go for a good landing, that's it. Or do I just land? Like, you know, I'm just landing.
So I just landed. I was like, Yeah, you had that big, big step on the two and a half, but I saw that. I was like, no, you're good bro. Like, just stay on those feet and you're good.
And yeah, so, you know, that's definitely a huge, huge relief. Um, I'm saying that and I'm sure for you, you know, be staying on your feet with that. Um, when it was official, you know, you had that you qualified for the Olympics. How did that feel to know that you're making history being the first Nigerian gymnast to represent?
I felt like, I don't know, man. I just felt like really, you know, I, I felt like, I just believe for a while. Um, still right now, I'm like, Am I really going to Olympic? Well, when I go back to practice, though, I know like coaches are going to be on it.
I'm like, yeah. Um, But, you know, I just felt like words can't really describe my emotions for it, but I just felt really happy because I know I paved this way for other Nigerian gymnast and like, um, leading by example that, you know, you guys can do it. Like anyone can put, do anything they put their mind to, you know, I turned a dream into a reality. So it's just, just amazing.
You know, like, I want to, I want to help them. You know, I want to, I don't even want to go and like go to gym for them or something. Yeah, I was, I was looking at like other interviews you did and, you know, talking about building something for Nigeria and being able to, you know, build something for the gymnastics program there. Talk a little bit more about that and what you want to do with that.
Yeah. So like, I don't want gymnastics to die. You know, like, yeah, I'm trying to like, you know, amp it up because there's a lot of people do, you know. It's like, yeah, it's incredible.
Like what we're able to do, like with our bodies, the control we have, um, it's not like any other sport. Like, it's unique in that way. And it's just so incredible. Seeing someone quite a little to watch.
All that adrenaline too. And like the balance, you need strength and you need everything man. It takes everything. Yeah.
So kind of touched on this a little bit. You know, what do you feel like you've proven now that you've qualified for the Olympics just within your gymnastics? I'd say, um, yeah, I was super sloppy from the very beginning of time, but you know, like my right, my own YouTube videos and my high bar say Yeah, I said that. Don't look it up.
Don't look it up. You see that solid. But I did that full in talk and stuff that everyone so high. You know, yeah.
I was that. I just proven that, you know, like anything's possible man. Like we can be like, you can change. You can make the changes if you really have a goal, you know, and my goal is to go off on the Olympics.
So I had to put in all that extra work to like get my body feeling right and do exactly what's needed, you know, came up with a plan to like, I knew this would be a lot of pressure. So like, of course I want to do much difficulty. Like, you know, I just kept it. Nice.
And then I clean. You're like, um, I could be cleaner and I haven't been way cleaner, but man, that's what pressure does. Yeah, definitely. I think that's a good mindset to have to, you know, knowing knowing what you need to do and being able to just execute on that and being like, you know what?
This competition is to qualify for the Olympics. I need to do this, this and this. I need to be solid and I need to hit six or six and you went out there and did it and now your next trip to Tokyo. Let's talk about that aftermath though, because I saw you doing a lot of like media stuff in Nigeria, doing all these things, beating up with God, like, hot head, you know, a lot of guys in Nigeria that are, you know, pretty big there.
How have they like taken you in and embraced you and, you know, welcomed you? Um, so like, you know, like no one really appreciates someone until like they do something big, you know. So like all the hype that I felt around like there was like nothing compared to the hype I feel around my family and my friends. I mean, grind and stuff, but yeah, man, I mean, it was a good time.
I actually connected with a lot of people like I met this guy who runs track and he spent the rate he did some like he's been, he understands it all and he appreciates it. So like, like, I don't know, I'm like, the media stuff now is just to get publicity for, you know, gymnastics in Nigeria and just to hold, you know, like everyone, like a lot of kids like really love the sport. Can't let it die out. Yeah.
That's why, like, that's why I've reached time and reaching out to all you guys. And you know, obviously I definitely wanted you on the show because, um, yeah, I'm on the same mindset of we need to. We need to appreciate what we got because, um, and we need to let people know like this is something that special. Um, and we need to really, really be grateful for all the athletes that are doing their thing and grinding and being able to compete at that highest level.
Um, and that's, that's an incredible thing. And so, um, I appreciate you, Uche, it's been a great talk. This is awesome. And I mean, I'll see, I'll see you later.
Yeah, for sure. Um, but you know, after the Olympics, I definitely have you on again. That'd be so much fun. Yeah, representing Nigeria right there.
There we go. No. Yeah. I can't wait to go back and start cranking some nice music.
Everyone can bring it. Yeah. That's going to be great. Going for broke man.
You're going to see some epipipnastics. I'm ready. It's going to be some good stuff. I'm so excited to see it.
Um, being able to, you know, watch all these guys competing. You know, um, I mean, we've been waiting a whole year for this. Like it's, it's, I'm super excited for it. Um, can't wait to do it.
And, um, man, can't wait to talk to you again, talk about your experience in Tokyo. Yep. Yep. Thank you.
All right. All right. Thank you for watching. Yeah.
Which man told?