Michael Okpala

Michael Okpala (August 8, 1939 – March 11, 2004), also known as "Power Mike," was a popular wrestling figure and retired World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion.

Early life

Michael Okpala was born on August 8th,1939, to Echeobi and Janet Okpala at Neni, in the Anaocha Local Government area of Anambra State in the eastern part of Nigeria.

For his elementary education, Michael was enrolled in the Anglican Primary School at Adazi-Enu – a neighbouring town to Neni. At this primary school, he started building his athletic career by participating actively in sporting events. His interest in boxing led him to become an amateur boxer.

After finishing primary school in 1952, Michael left his village for Onitsha to learn how to organize and run a trade business. At Onitsha, he joined the Dick Tiger Boxing Club as a middleweight amateur boxer. It was here that Dick Ihetu Tiger became his role model. On leaving Onitsha, he went to Kano to specialize in buying and selling tires. During an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic, Michael realized he wanted to pursue strength training so he took on a new name, "Power Mike."

Power Mike

While in Kano in northern Nigeria, Okpala started a Superman show business with his new name, which made him well-known locally. Showmanship took him around the world in the mid-1950s. His act included such feats as using his bare hands to bend a six-inch nail, lifting four heavy men with ease, engaging several men in a game of tug-of-war, and using his bare hands to break a coconut.

In 1961, he started a nationwide tour to Onitsha, Enugu, Aba, Port Harcourt, Lagos, Jos, and Kaduna. In 1964, Okpala went to Ghana, and his performances were reported to be a success. He later toured Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal before going to Europe in 1967, accompanied by his friend Engr Onyeso, the Igwe of Nri. He landed a one-year contract in Sweden, after which he went to Greece.

Wrestling

A wrestling promoter saw Okpala performing as a superman in Greece and took an interest in him. Kalie Abdulkalie of Lebanon trained him. Initially, he did not like the brutality in wrestling. However, he later became an acclaimed wrestler and one of the best in Greece.

When he left Greece, he went to Britain to compete as a professional wrestler.

He returned to Africa in 1970 and defeated Gambia's Massambula to become the African heavyweight wrestling champion and titleholder.

He wrestled with and defeated Ali Baba of Lebanon in 1973. Johnny Kwango also fought Okpala and was defeated by him in Lagos. Other wrestlers that Okpala defeated include Power Jack, Joseph Kovacs, Judd Harris and John Tiger of Canada.

Apart from his pro wrestling prowess, he was also a sport promoter. His international promotions brought foreign wrestlers like Mil Mascaras, Dick the 'Bulldog Brower',Buddy Rose, Michael Hayes, Mighty Igor, Carlos Colon, Chris Adams, Thunderbolt Williams, and others to the shores of Nigeria. He retired from active wrestling in 1976 and then focused on international promotions.

Michael Okpala died on March 11, 2004, at the National Hospital, Abuja, after a protracted illness.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Okpala, Michael
Nigerian male sport wrestlers
2004 deaths
1939 births
Sportspeople from Anambra State