Michael Okpala

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Michael Okpala (August 8, 1939 – March 11, 2004), also known as "Power Mike," was a popular wrestling figure and retired World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion.^[1]

Early life[edit]

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

For his elementary education, Michael was enrolled in the Anglican Primary School at Adazi-Enu – a neighboring 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 his dream. This realization sparked his rebirth – and he took on a new name, "Power Mike."

Power Mike[edit]

While in Kano in northern Nigeria, "Power Mike" started a Superman show business, which made him famous locally. His imaginative exhibitions in Kano supposedly "cast a spell" on people from various social backgrounds because they were "yearning" to see him perform. 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, Power Mike went to Ghana, and his performances there were stated to be a tremendous success. He later toured Cote 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. It was there that he became a wrestler.

Wrestling[edit]

A wrestling promoter saw Power Mike 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 returned to Britain to compete – where he truly started his career as a 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 Power Mike and was defeated by him in Lagos. Some wrestlers that Power Mike has defeated are Power Jack, Joseph Kovacs, Judd Harris and John Tiger of Canada.

Apart from his pro wrestling prowess, he was also a sport promoter. His Power Mike International Promotions brought foreign wrestlers like Mil Mascaras, Dick the 'Bulldog Brower,'Buddy Rose, Michael Hayes (wrestler), Mighty Igor, The Mongols, Carlos Colon, Chris Adams (wrestler), Thunderbolt Williams, and others to the shores of Nigeria. He retired from active wrestling in 1976 and then focused on international promotions.^[2]

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

References[edit]