Ejiofor Vanessa, a promising athlete at the recent inter-house sports competition of the Holy Child College, Ikoyi, where she represented Fidelis House, celebrated her first-place finish in the high jump event on Wednesday with a mix of joy and reflection.
Speaking to Sports247 after her victory, Vanessa shared the emotional journey that led to her success. “It makes me very happy because yesterday, I felt like a failure because of two subjects I didn’t do well. So, I was praying as I was going for my jump. I prayed that because I told God I was a failure yesterday. I prayed today I’ll feel like a winner. And God helped me, and I’m very happy,” she said.
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Vanessa, who attempted the jump about eight times during the event, recalled moments of disappointment when she faltered. “I was very disappointed because I thought I could do it very well. I’ll feel like I can do it at some point. And that’s what I’ll tell myself, but when I don’t do it, I feel so disappointed because I finished bringing my hopes high, but at the end, I didn’t really get it,” she explained.
Reflecting on her inner strength, Vanessa revealed that she turned to prayer for motivation. “Yes, I asked God to help me,” she affirmed. Despite her prowess in the high jump, she admitted to avoiding other track events. “I feel like I can run, but I’m always afraid that I will fall and just let everybody down. So, I don’t really participate in those races and stuff,” she noted.
When asked about the inspiration behind her decision to compete in the high jump, Vanessa credited her playful upbringing with her siblings. “At some point, my siblings and I were known for being very playful and sporty. We all like jumping, shouting, and doing everything that makes us happy. And jumping actually makes me happy. Yeah, jumping makes me happy,” she said with a smile.
Looking toward the future, Vanessa shared her ambitions beyond sports. “Well, sports will be in my free time because I want to be a musician someday,” she revealed. However, she also expressed a continued passion for athletics, adding, “Yes, I’m going to play basketball.” Vanessa trains at school and hopes to compete in national or even international competitions as she pursues her dream of becoming a basketball player.
Vanessa Ejiofor’s story is one of resilience and hope—a journey from self-doubt to triumph, powered by unwavering faith and a determination to succeed, both on and off the field.
