Bishop Oyedepo ‘ll Wear My Tokyo Olympics Bronze Medal – Ese Brume

Nigeria’s bronze medallist in the long jump event, Ese Brume says putting the Tokyo Olympics medal around the neck of President and Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, is her sincere desire.

Shortly after winning bronze on Tuesday morning, the 25-year old Delta State-born athlete told reporters; “I plan to go to Canaan-Land to wear it (Bronze medal) on Bishop David Oyedepo.”

Brume, who spoke at the Mixed zone of the Olympic Stadium Tokyo, said; “This medal means a lot to me. It doesn’t matter the colour. First I dedicate it to Bishop Oyedepo and I plan to decorate him with the medal later.”

Amidst sobs and repeatedly wiping her tears, the long jumper further said; “I’m super excited and grateful to God. I’m super happy that I was able to make the top three at the Olympics. Honestly, I can’t contend with my joy.

“I have never seen myself in worse situations because I was injured. But my coach kept pushing and my trust in God renewed my energy. When I break the African record, my injury was still fresh. It spurred me. And here I am today grateful to God and all those he used to make me an Olympic medallist”.

According to her; “I’ll say I’m not the best athlete but I’m grateful to God for bringing me this far. I can’t contain my joy no matter the colour of the medal.”

Specifically offering thanks to God for her impressive outing in Tokyo, Brume said the medal is dedicated to “God Almighty, who has been my backbone and brought me to the top. I also want to dedicate the medal to Bishop David Oyedepo, my family, as well as my coach and those that were here but could not compete.”

“It has been a great season for me right from April when I was injured but I never settled for less no matter the challenges. I kept on pushing and my coach keeps telling me that Ese you can do it. It is not all about the training but the faith I have in God,” she said.

For the bronze, Brume leapt 6.97 metres with her very first jump to come third behind second-placed Brittany Reese of the United States and gold medallist, Malaika Mihambo of Germany.

Brume has now joined the league of star performers, Blessing Okagbare and Glory Alozie, as the only Nigerian athletes to win individual medals at both the World’s Championship and the Olympics Games. – With agency reports