Three years ago 27 years old Peacemaker Azeugbulam lost his left leg when his unit with the Nigerian Army came under fire from Insurgents in the North but now he has become an African Champion. He won gold and became the first African to do so in a power lifting event in the Invictus Games in Dusseldoff Germany.

He said “i feel great to become the first champion in Invictus Games from Africa…….Invictus means unconquered, we are still unconquered because we are still alive”

The Invictus games started in 2014, and was founded by Prince harry, Duke of Sussex. He is also a veteran who founded it to help in the rehabilitation of wounded servicemen and women through sports. The events now involves 23 Nations and the sports includes weightlifting , volleyball and table tennis.

Azuegbulam won gold in powerlifting category and also competes in sitting volleyball and other sports. It has been a painful journey for Azuegbulam who was part of the Army unit fighting to dislodge insurgents in the country where anti-aircraft gun was fired wounding him and forcing doctors to amputate his leg. After being injured, he got into a lot of things emotionally, mentally and physically. he said he thought of a lot of things and he was not not himself, it was very though for him he said. He got into sports with the help of local organization Nigeria Unconquered which was for recovery for wounded servicemen and veterans and eventually to a team heading to Invictus games in September. Azuegbulam said sports brought him back to life. He is recovered now due to sports and nothing more than seeing oneself doing something. He found more inspiration at Invictus games from the support of other wounded servicemen and women.

”I have new friends now, I have new family now that can encourage me, advice me and know where to help me” he said. He said he intends to keep on with more sports competitions as he is ready. He has the ability and even ready for the Olympics. He intends to continue and focus in sports and keep on winning.

Bobby Ojeh who is the director of Invictus In Nigeria said that Azuegbulam’s victory would bring hope to others and saw more African nations joining the event.

SOURCE: VANGUARD