Karate Makes Women To Be Fertile – Karate Gold Medalist

A Delta State born female Karate gold medalist has revealed that engaging in sports, especially Karate, helps women not to experience infertility.

Favour Zipamoh Erelade in an exclusive interview with BochNews Online’s Oyagiri Chime, further stated that her expertise in the sports does not affect her relationship with the opposite sex.

She described Karate as her life, her motivation and her best moments whenever she engages in the sport.
She said her challenges and best moments may inspire one to encourage other females to engage in the sport.

Excerpt:

BN: The public would like to know your name, please.

I am Favour Zipamoh Erelade

BN: What are your hobbies?

Swimming and cooking

BN: Is your passion for swimming influenced by your environment?

Yes

BN: Do you do the swimming just as a pastime adventure or you engage beyond that?

Yes pastime.
Being an Ijaw girl, swimming is part of our day to day activities.

BN: You appear athletic. Is there any sports or game you are engaged into?

Yes, I do Karate for a living.

BN: That’s interesting. What inspired you to venture into such strenuous sport as a woman, instead of other sports?

I started Karate in the year 2000. Before this time, I engaged in other sports like; football, long jump high jump. When I was in primary and secondary school, I use to run for Olou Primary School, Bomadi and Government College, Bomadi.
In the year 2000, I saw some group of men/boys training in an open compound, so, i watched them and the coach Gadaghy Ebitomor looked at me and said; “I Know you can do it, you have the physique”, and I said, yes.
The next day, I joined them in the morning training.
One week later, they said we have Delta State Sports Festival, I represented my local government area, Bomadi and travelled to Asaba for the competition.
I won one individual silver and Team bronze.

BN: Before then, had you any admiration for Karate?

No

BN: Normally, in such situations, there is a strike or spark that tickles one’s fancy. What was that spark?

Ash kick in Japanese terminology, we call it ‘uramawachi geri’ and i learnt it and it became my best kick all through my competition days.

BN: So, what motivated you to keep faith to this date?

When winning was sweet in Delta State, the then governor paid gold medal winners reasonable amount of money.

BN: What were the challenges you faced during your competitive days?

I love Karate with passion.

BN: Meaning that you never faced any kind of challenge?

In Nigeria sports generally, one, Favouritism, that is, my person must go. Secondly, bad officiating, thirdly, lack of training equipment.
Most times, I bought my kits my self, no sponsorship.
Most championships, I sponsor myself to represent my dear State – Delta.

BN: What is the way forward to ease such challenges?

The local, state and federal government should provide equipment for training and competitions.

BN: What are your words of encouragement to upcoming Karate enthusiasts?

I will encourage them never to give up, no matter the poor officiating. When you notice that the officiating is not fair to you, make your point clear so there will not be room to cheat you.

BN: Was there any incident that made you regret your choice of karate?

Hmmm! Regret, none but in 2011 Garden City Games, Rivers Festival, I won 2 golds individual and Team, which qualify me for All African Games camp, but I was not invited. It really hurt me but I can never regret my choice of sports because the work am enjoying now, I got it through Karate. I was employed as a karate athlete, so no regrets.

*BN: What is the difference between karate, kunfu, taekwondo, judo?

• The pattern of dress and fighting is different. Karate, we have kata which is demonstration while kumute is fight. Karate fight is not full impact, karate fight with leg and hands. While taekwondo uses only legs, full impact. Judo grab the thick cloth for throws and Kunfu uses both leg and hands too, full impact. BN: What are the health hazards associated with your type of sports since it involves kicking and pushing?

Injury like broken chin, cut on ur mouth, loss of teeth, etc but when you are good and blocking, it will be hard to sustain severe injury.

BN: As a woman, doesn’t it scare you of your sports affecting your productive and other sensitive systems?

No, it even makes a woman fertile. And it makes labour easy.

BN: Can you expatiate on that please?

When you engaged in active sports every organs will be active.

BN: How many laurels did you win in your sporting career?

Over 50 gold, silver and broze.

BN: What is your relationship with the opposite sex considering the type of sports you are engaged in?

My sport does not affect my relationship with the opposite sex. My sports ends in the office.

BN: Finally, what is your general advise to members of the public?*

My advice to every parent, is to encourage their children to engage in sports like karate

Thank you, Ma’am.