The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

22-The Canadian Champion, Frilay. March 29, 2002 V'O1ympic champion wrestler pays a visit to E.C. __________ 1Canada's top giappler spciîds day ~i iiQ PhotoYbRAAHAMPAIE Canadien Olympic gold medallat Daniel igail spoke about the importance of determinatlon and hard work durlng a visit ta E.C. Drury HIgh SchooI Monday. Later he met wlth members of the achool's wrestliflg team Includlriç (inset) nlnth grader Prashant Nalkwadi. i>%I 'LuUi By STEVE LeBLANC The Champion E.C. Drury rarely takes a back seat -lhen it comnes to wrestling. But during a special momning presentation Tuesday, Larry Jaroslawnki's OFSAA champs gladly surren- dered the spotlight to thin country's most accom- plished grappler. Daniel igali - Canadans flrnt ever world champion and Olympie gold medalint - spoke to the entire stu- dent body to kick off a day-long visit to the local sehool. The Nigerian native hegan his half-hour addresn by poking fun at in lack of heignt and telling audience membern that in accent may require a little dloser attention on their part. "Actually, V've heen told that my accent is quite sexy," he quipped to lighten up the crowd. While most probably expected a detailed accountr of i risc to the top of international wrestlig, the highly decorated athiete focused more on other aspects of bis life - including in first experience in Canada. Coming overseas for the 1994 Commonwealth Gamnes, Igali ws overwhehned by tis country'n gen- erous nature. One particular incident he remembers with great fondues in being curteounly wnved acros *a buny street by mtrss 1I don't known another country in the world where they'd do that," he sali. Eager to escape the political unrent of in native Nigeria, a then 20-year-old Igali quickly inquired about the possibility of staying with a new acquam-_ *tance. And when that simple requent was met with a ifavourable response, he quickly contacted in famnily While the move was certainldy nisky - nince he had no friends in Canada and juat $50 in his pocket - thse noft-spokcn world champ said sometimes "you have to take chances." Smnce then he hasn fot only ncaled the global wrestling mountain but earned a university degree as well. And while success hasn't alwayn been forthcom- ing, he's proud to nay that the effort has been. 'How you get there in what's mont important," ttresned Igali. 'You're going to have disappointmelts. You're not alwayn going to get what you bargained for. But you junt have to keep working and do it better the next cime." That philonophy served him in good stead through the early stages of hin Olympic journey - especially at the '94 Commonwealth Games when he placed a modent and potentially ego-deflating 11 th. But Igali persevered - calling on Olympians like Carl Lewis for inspiration - and in 1999 becamne a world champion. The following year h andded Olympic gold. igali also rend a rather touching letter from his grandmnother during his presentation - which fol- lowed a brief film documenting his vant wrestling feats - and spoke of the necd for determination for what- ever goal one nets out to achieve. Alto addrenned was hin ongomng efforts to build a new school in Nigeria - a project which will ha aided by E.C. Drury. He ended the morning session by help- mng Jaronlawski officially honour this year's OFSAA winng Spartans. Unveiled were banners of the past three provincial triumphs and one nignifymng the school's recent three-peat. AIÂROU-OR ý E:ends the L EXTEN1MD @amL Roduce fuel CoaaumPiOf up ta 30% : protea your inveatiflat *a.d. M",soms Us ta 50% if-- of Your qupfmnent Now la the time ta give your Outdoor Power Equipment a turie-up! Biiggs & Stratton bas ail the maintenance praducta; yau need ta extend thei ite of yaur engine. Juat pick Up the Briggs & Stratton Maintenance Kit yau need frm Matas Power Equipmest or let us do it for yau. You can be asaured your Bnigga & Stratton powered equipment will stail up eaay and rua at maximum performance! ',Your Power Source"' ' HALTON IPOWR EWMPMET~ Md4'* Paf s à Ropaitt For Ait $Mil EngIMf 20 Main St. W. MIItUl www.~briqgundstr3tan.com 905-87"M28C Milton Mînor IL N Hoc1'«!y Association For inquiries please contact Grant Goodings at 905-878-4769 PIlyer -Ree4ritOf for 2002/20 03 season Saturday March 3Oth 8am-8pm Memorial Mena (Thompsofl Rd.) Upstairs Beginner thru to Juvenile (new registration must bring birth certificate) M