Sports

Judo US Open: Nigerian 56 Years Old Shines Amid 500 Judokas

Published

4 years ago

September 5, 2022

Joel Ajayi

The 33rd edition of the United States Open Judo Championship must have come and gone. but the memories of being the only medal winner will remain fresh in the memories of a 56 years old Nigerian.

The journey to the silver medal award for 56-year-old veteran Nigerian Judoka, a police officer by profession DCP Olatunji Disu at the just concluded US Open Judo Championship was indeed rough but ended in a celebration for the entire Populous black race.

He is indeed a champion, victor, and goal-getter who did not allow challenges to stop him from winning a medal at the World Judo Open Championship in the US. The challenges ranging from going into such a magnitude event without a coach to guide him, because of the visa issues, but the super-cop made it to theUS; he saw and conquered because of his determination and unflinching love for the game of Judo.

Team Commander of Nigeria Police Intelligence Response Team, IRT, DSP Disu, without any iota of doubt defiled every odd to ensure that Nigeria’s green and white flag flew higher at the just world event.

He soared among more than five hundred veteran champions from across the world, as the fans were raising the Nigeria flag high in the foreign land courtesy of efforts put in place by Nigerian Judoka.

It was an outstanding, noteworthy extraordinary effort, facing over 500 Judokas from different continents at the world fiesta, most especially world number one, Woods Glen of the United States to achieve the feat, after participating in the veteran minus 100kg category of the competition of the veteran division and made a podium finish.

His love for the game is second to none, having started playing the Game of Judo back in his secondary school till university days, he has represented his state, Lagos in many national championships.

In his youthful days, DCP Disu clinched two gold medals at the 1990 edition of the National Sports Festival in Bauchi and a recipient of two gold medals at the few Nigeria Police Games he participated in.

No wonder, the former Lagos Judo Association chairman has been promoting the games in Nigeria and beyond.

Also, in November 2021, Disu won gold at the first veteran championships organised by the Nigeria Police, through his office as the Chairman, NPF Judo Association.

Notwithstanding his busy schedule, the Super-Cop who heads the reformed crime bursting department, Intelligence Response Team , IRT, has been an ardent practitioner of Judo over the years and the Silver Medal at the world level indeed will propel him to do more for the growth and development of the game in Nigeria.

However, Judo sports is a tremendous and dynamic combat sport that demands both physical prowess and great mental discipline with so many health benefits, both psychological and physical, especially in children.

Judo is an excellent activity for young kids because it builds healthy and robust muscles early on, improves their cardio, and lowers their cholesterol. Children who participate in judo have reduced risk of childhood obesity, heart disease, and osteoporosis, even as they become adults. It also sets the foundation for them to become healthy and active adults who appreciate the importance of physical activity.

Meanwhile, Sports is an important and integral part of the upbringing of youths. Judo sports are one of the sports that need to be propagated more in the country to have a better peaceful society.

Importantly, this added feat by DCP Disu in the faraway United States, as he conquered over 500 Judokas to bring silver laurel to Nigeria will remain indelible in the annals of Judoka Federation and posterity will remember him for his adroitness in the game of Judoka, having made Nigeria proud in youth and still stand out in this his golden age, DCP Disu has set a record that would take time to break. Disu should be inducted in the Nigeria Judo Hall of Fame because he deserves it.

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Sports

NSC Disburses Another ₦300m Training Grants to 31 Elite Athletes Ahead of 2028 Olympic Games

Published

12 hours ago

October 30, 2026

The Gleamer

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has disbursed approximately ₦300 million in quarterly training grants to more than 31 Nigerian elite athletes, providing early boost to the country’s preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The latest payment marks another milestone in the Commission’s efforts to strengthen athletes’ welfare and ensure sustained preparations for major international competitions under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The latest disbursement is the fifth since the introduction of the quarterly training grants policy in 2025 through the NSC’s Elite and Podium Board, and the third payment made in 2026.

With the latest payment, the Commission has now disbursed more than ₦1 billion in training grants to Nigerian elite athletes over the past two years.

The initiative provides quarterly grants of $10,000, $5,000 and $3,000 to athletes, depending on their performance and eligibility under the scientific performance indicators established by the Elite and Podium Board.

The policy has been widely welcomed by some of the country’s leading athletes, who have described it as a game changer that has significantly improved their preparations for international competitions by providing consistent financial support for their training needs.

Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, said the initiative reflected the Commission’s commitment to building a sustainable system for sporting success through deliberate investment in athletes.

“There are no accidental successes in sports. This is why the Commission has prioritised the welfare and wellbeing of our athletes as a critical part of our strategy for scientific podium success,” Hon, Olopade said.

He said the training grants were among the key mandates given to the Commission’s leadership by President Tinubu to ensure that Nigerian athletes receive the financial support needed to compete effectively at the highest level.

“I am particularly glad that we have been able to institute this athletes’ training grants policy because it is one of the core mandates Mr President gave to Mallam Shehu Dikko and me, to ensure that we put money in the pockets of Nigerian athletes and prepare them adequately for international competitions like the Olympics.”

“We can only get the best out of our athletes when we take care of them properly. By doing so, they will wear the Green and White of our country with pride and dignity. This is why Mr President has continued to support every policy we have introduced to revamp the sports sector,” he said.

Hon. Olopade added that sustained financial support would enable athletes to concentrate on their training without the distractions of financial uncertainty.

“Our athletes need this money to stay focused on their training so they are not distracted in their preparations for major competitions. And we must not forget that when we take care of our athletes, they will take care of the country with medals,” he added.

The impact of the training grants has continued to reflect in Nigeria’s recent performances at international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where the country emerged as Africa’s leading nation.

The performances of athletes such as Samuel Ogazi and Nathaniel Ezekiel, who broke world records, further highlighted the benefits of sustained investment in elite sports development.

Team Nigeria’s impressive outing at the 2025 Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia also underscored the importance of consistent support for athletes as the country intensifies preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The NSC said the training grants remain a central component of its strategy to strengthen Nigeria’s elite sports system, improve international competitiveness and deliver sustained podium success at major global competitions.

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