Pulse Interview: UK-born athlete Moe Sasegbon talks growing up, representing Nigeria and career targets

Moe Sasegbon talks growing up, representing Nigeria and career targets in Pulse Sports interview.

Moe Sasegbon is still largely unknown in the Nigerian sports circles. Born in the UK, she has already competed for Nigeria at the 2015 All African Games in Congo.

In this interview with Pulse Sports, she spoke on her decision to represent Nigeria after her stint with Great Britain, her career targets and challenges so far.

How often do you come back to Nigeria?

 

“I come back every Christmas time, sometime in the summer when I’m competing. I was born in the UK but I schooled here up until my secondary school. I'm a regular in Nigeria.”

“I’m from Abeokuta and I have visited a few times. I have climbed Olumo Rock quite a few times when I was I school. I plan on visiting before I go back in the UK.”

How was your year in 2017?

“2017 was a good year, it was kind of a year preparing for this year because I didn't have any major championship last year. So I was just training and having my mind set on the competitions this year.

“The Commonwealth Games in April and African Championship in August.”

On decision of switch allegiance to Nigeria after representing Great Britain

“I always wanted to compete for Nigeria, it was always the plan. I’m definitely grateful for the opportunity of competing for Great Britain when I did. It gave me experience in international competition but I’ve always wanted to compete for Nigeria. It's who I am.”

What have been the challenges you have faced representing Nigeria

“Getting in contact with the Nigerian federation has been quite difficult over the years.

“ In terms of the organisation, the difference is very clear but at the end of the day as an athlete, you just have to try and put all of that aside and just focus on the competition. Focus on your performance at the end of the day that what they are going to look out for. It's not the factors surrounding it, its what you have done.”

On representing Nigeria for the first time.

“My first experience competing for Nigeria was the All African games. It was amazing.

“Leading up to the competition, there were challenges because I got ill when I was in the Congo. About four days before I was on bedrest.

“But by the time I got to the competition, everything went well. I felt amazing. The crowd was there, everybody was cheering, the adrenaline was pumping, it was an amazing experience and I can’t wait to represent Nigeria again.”

On how Moe Sasegbon started as an athlete

“When I was about nine years old my dad just decided he wanted me and my sister to start training at National Stadium.

 

“So we went there and I just started training, running, did some high jump. At that time, I never really saw it as anything and then I moved to the United Kingdom for school and my PE teacher saw that I was good at high jump and decided I should join an Athletics group which I did at about age 14.

“I have been going on since then. Went to the University in Sheffield in the UK, started training with an Olympian which inspired me and made me see athletics as a career.”

Who were your early influences?

 

“I would say, my parents, my mum used to represent Nigeria in swimming, my dad played huddles, basketball at the University level.

“We have always had that kind of sporting background so I’m always involved in sports, always enjoyed it whether it was professionally or just for fun.

“Jessica Ennis-Hill whom I trained with at Sheffield was very inspiring because I was with her and her coach up until the Olympics.

“Just seeing the build-up to that, the work it required,  the dedication, it was an amazing thing to watch.”

What are your targets in 2018?

 

“It is to first qualify for the Commonwealth Games. The trials are next month and if I qualify for that,  then I‘m off to Australia in April.

“Target is to make the final whether it's in high jump or heptathlon. For the African Championship in August, I want the medal.”

Where do you prepare for competitions, in the United Kingdom or Nigeria?

“I prepare in the UK because that is where my coach is based,  that is where my training group and all of my facilities are.

“I usually like to come back to Nigeria about a week before the competition which is when you just kind of rest as much as possible. Keep yourself mentally prepared and keep yourself sharp for the competition.”

Career goal?

“Definitely has to be the Olympics, that's the pinnacle of being an athlete. So my long-term goal is definitely the 2020 Olympics. All that is within is preparation for that.”

What are your best Nigerian dishes?

“Puff Puff is my favourite snack. I like Pounded yam and Edikang Ikong soup.”

On interactions with other Nigerian athletes

“I actually trained in the same area as another Temple (Management) athlete as well, (Seye Ogunlewe) and it was good.

“When I went out to Congo  which was my first time meeting other Nigerian athletes, I had a roommate, it was quite fun, getting to know everybody, seeing them do their own training, meeting other Nigerian coaches as well was quite good.”

On her experience in the shooting of Wonder Woman

 

“I can say it’s one of the most amazing things I have done till date. I was involved for about six months, that included training, like in the gym and a bit of stunt training as well.

“So they were trying to create Amazon Warriors, so we had to look the part and train the part.

“We had to be strong enough to look like Amazonian Warriors. And then we were in Italy working for three weeks. Being on set, watching the different scenery was an amazing experience.”

How did you get the role?

"I did an audition. There were first of all scouting for just tall athletic looking women. So I went for the audition. I had to do three different auditions where I had to do different fight scenes. I was with the sword and a shield and I got called back and got the part.”

Considering doing more movies in the future?

“I think so, definitely in the future. For now, the focus is obviously athletics because you have to give that your 100% focus.

“In the future, yea, I can see myself going for an action role again, hopefully in Nigeria, if Nollywood goes that direction.

“If Nollywood ventures into superhero and action movies, I think that would be really fun to do. Something creative, something completely different from the norm in Nollywood so I would be interested in that.”

On role in Justice League movie

“Yes, we played Amazon Warriors in Justice League as well. It wasn’t as prominent as Wonder Woman because obviously, Wonder Woman was about the Amazons.

“We worked on that (Justice League) for about 10 days, we shot in the UK. It was the same kind of training process and I was in the background of that too.”