> Igali to be inducted into Sports Hall of Fame
Igali to be inducted into Sports Hall of Fame
Contact:
Marianne Meadahl, PAMR, 778.782.4323; Marianne_Meadahl@sfu.ca
(note: Igali is away Oct. 22 but he is back and available Tuesday (Oct. 23) for interviews. He leaves for Toronto on Oct. 24)
Marianne Meadahl, PAMR, 778.782.4323; Marianne_Meadahl@sfu.ca
(note: Igali is away Oct. 22 but he is back and available Tuesday (Oct. 23) for interviews. He leaves for Toronto on Oct. 24)
October 22, 2007
Nigerian-born Daniel Igali, who won Olympic gold for Canada seven years ago, will be inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday, Oct. 25 in Toronto.
Igali, a master’s student in criminology at Simon Fraser University, is one of eight new inductees into the Hall of Fame.
“This is the ultimate honour,” says Igali, who recently returned from Nigeria, where he continues to oversee the logistics of operating a new school built in his village of Eniwari.
“This award is not only for me, it is for all of my coaches, my training partners, sponsors and supporters who helped me to become an Olympic champion.
“Most important, this award is a testament to the Canadian spirit of accommodation, and a country that took a risk on an African kid from the margins of human existence. To Canada, I will forever remain grateful.”
Igali became a world-class wrestler after leaving his war-torn country in 1994. While in Canada and at SFU, he compiled a staggering 116-0 record. In 1999 he became a world champion at the 69 kg class – the first Canadian to accomplish the feat in the sport.
His Olympic gold medal in wrestling at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney was another first for Canada.
Igali will join an impressive roster of 2007 inductees: cross-country skier Beckie Scott, women’s hockey star Cassie Campbell, baseball batting champion Larry Walker, football great Doug Flutie, NHL star Mike Bossy, ringette creator Sam Jacks and Paralympics founder Robert Steadward.
Igali, a master’s student in criminology at Simon Fraser University, is one of eight new inductees into the Hall of Fame.
“This is the ultimate honour,” says Igali, who recently returned from Nigeria, where he continues to oversee the logistics of operating a new school built in his village of Eniwari.
“This award is not only for me, it is for all of my coaches, my training partners, sponsors and supporters who helped me to become an Olympic champion.
“Most important, this award is a testament to the Canadian spirit of accommodation, and a country that took a risk on an African kid from the margins of human existence. To Canada, I will forever remain grateful.”
Igali became a world-class wrestler after leaving his war-torn country in 1994. While in Canada and at SFU, he compiled a staggering 116-0 record. In 1999 he became a world champion at the 69 kg class – the first Canadian to accomplish the feat in the sport.
His Olympic gold medal in wrestling at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney was another first for Canada.
Igali will join an impressive roster of 2007 inductees: cross-country skier Beckie Scott, women’s hockey star Cassie Campbell, baseball batting champion Larry Walker, football great Doug Flutie, NHL star Mike Bossy, ringette creator Sam Jacks and Paralympics founder Robert Steadward.