For Coach Jude Ihuarulam, Head of Parasports at the Abia State Sports Council, para powerlifting is far more than a profession — it is a lifelong calling shaped by sacrifice, patience, and an unbreakable belief in human potential.
In a heartfelt conversation, the veteran coach opened up on the journey that has defined his career, one marked by immense challenges and historic triumphs.
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With decades of experience behind him, Coach Jude admitted that coaching para athletes comes with unique demands, requiring not only physical preparation but deep emotional investment and mentorship.
“Coaching is not easy,” he said candidly. “Not all my athletes are yet the type of people I want them to be, but I am patient with them.”
That patience has paid off remarkably. Under his guidance, Abia State has produced between seven and eight Paralympians, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential figures in Nigerian parasports. Since taking his first two athletes to competition in 1998, Coach Jude has overseen the rise of Abia para powerlifting into a dominant force, winning over 100 medals, the majority of them gold.
One moment, however, stands out as the most emotional of his storied career — the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
Coach Jude recalled how his athlete, Esther, suffered a severe injury just before competition. Medical examinations at the polyclinic ruled her out, with doctors declaring it impossible for her to compete. The verdict was devastating.
“I cried in my heart, even though no tears came out,” he recalled. “I was thinking of returning to Abia State with nothing after four years, sometimes eight years, of preparation.”
What followed was a defining lesson for the coach himself. Against all odds and medical advice, Esther insisted on competing. Her determination, courage, and refusal to accept defeat shifted everything.
“That was the moment I learned from my own athlete,” Coach Jude said.
In an extraordinary turn of events, Esther lifted through pain and adversity to clinch a silver medal for Nigeria — injured but unbroken, turning despair into history.
Beyond medals, Coach Jude also acknowledged the strong institutional support that has helped parasports thrive in Abia State. He praised the state government for recognizing and rewarding Paralympians after their return from Paris, describing the current administration as one that has transformed the sports landscape.
Fondly referring to Governor Alex Otti as “Dede Alex,” he noted that since the administration assumed office, “the face of sports has changed.”
He cited the successful hosting of the International and African Para Badminton Championships at the International Conference Centre (ICC) as proof that Abia State has the capacity to host major para powerlifting tournaments of similar scale.
The Commissioner for Sports also earned high praise, with Coach Jude remarking that the official must be “very lucky,” given that Abia teams rarely return from competitions without victories. He further commended the Director of Sports for his strong administrative leadership, describing him as a key pillar within the Sports Council.
Coach Jude concluded the conversation with a heartfelt prayer for the governor’s long life and good health, and for a future where parasports in Abia State continues to grow, inspire, and uplift lives.
