Skip to main content

Power Mike



Died March 11, 2004

Chief Michael Okpala (MON), was a household name in the world of Nigerian and African wrestling, a retired undefeated World heavyweight wrestling champion

Power Mike was born as Michael Okpala on the 8th August 1939 to Echeobi and Janet Okpala at Neni, in Anaocha Local Gorvernment Area of Anambra State in the eastern part of Nigeria. He was the first born of a family of three.

In 1970 he defeated Gambia's Massambula to become the African heavy weight wrestling champion and titleholder. He wrestled with and defeated Ali Baba of Lebanon in 1973. Johnny Kwango also became a victim of Power Mike's when he (Mike) defeated him in Lagos. Among the list of wrestlers that Power Mike defeated were Power Jack, Joseph Kovacs, Judd Harris, John Tiger of Canada and a host of other worldwide notable superstars.

Apart form his pro wrestling prowress which popularised him worldwide, he was also a promoter of the sport as his Power Mike Internatonal Promotions brought to our shores in Nigeria foreign wrestlers like Mil Mascaras, Dick the 'Bulldog Brower,'' Buddy Rose.,Michael Hayes, Mighty Igor, The Mongols, Carlos Colon, Chris Adams, Thunderbolt Williams and so on. He retired from active wrestling in 1976 and then focused in International promotions.

Power Mike died on Wednesday, 11th March 2004 at the National Hospital, Abuja after a protracted illness.
Labels:

Comments

Anonymous said…
In-depth resource and a brilliant job. Keep it up!
26 February 2009 at 17:26
hugo said…
Power Mike was indeed a ruler in the field of wrestling as far as Africa as a continent is concerned and he put nigeria in the world map of wrestling. He was really endowed with uncommon strength and prowess.
14 July 2009 at 18:46
Yinka said…
A great wrestler, a true passionate sportsman and a shrewd business man. I hated him for defeating my favourite wrestler namely Johnny Kwango. I would loved to have seen him in the wrestling ring with both Honey Boy Zimba and Ben Lion Heart (Ben Okoye)on different occasions.
3 October 2011 at 11:04
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Donatus Ibeakwadalam Nwoga

The late Donatus Nwoga was a Professor of African Literature and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Donatus was the Secretary of the Planning and Management Committee of the former Eastern Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (1970); member of the Board of the former East-Central State Broadcasting Corporation (1974-76); member of the former East-Central State Library Board (1975-76); and former member of Imo State Library Board (1977-79). Ibeakwadalam passed the Cambridge School Certificate Examination in Division One, with exemption from matriculation in 1950; he passed the General Certificate of Education Advanced Level Examinations in English Literature, Latin and Ancient History at a sitting, with exemption from Inter B.A. of the University of London In 1955; and in 1960, when he obtained his Bachelor's degree from the Queen's University of Belfast, he won in the same breath the highly coveted "High Graham Mitchell Bursary" for the...
19 comments
Read more

King Onyeama of Eke

The King of Agbaja, Onyeama n’Eke was the greatest king in northern Igboland. He was probably the greatest Igbo king in living memory. From his palace in Eke, Onyeama reigned over the entire Agbaja, from Oji River though Udi and Ezeagu to the present-day political capital of Igboland, Enugu, and even Nkanu and Ogui communities. Onyeama was born circa 1870s, the youngest of the ten children of Özö Omulu Onwusi, a polygamous titled man of means, and an only son of his mother – Chinazungwa Ijeonyeabo of nearby Ebe community. Brought up by his half-brother, Amadiezeoha Nwankwo-Onwusi, Onyeama worked hard and made his mark in business. He traveled to famous Aro-controlled trading centers including Abiriba, Arochukwu, Arondizuogu, Bende, Oguta, Uburu, etc. When British rule reached Eke in 1908, Onyeama was rich enough to buy his way into the Ozo title society and to marry a local beauty, Afia Nwirediagu, and later Gwachi Ebue. Onyema attended the British Empire Exhibition in May 1924 and was...
4 comments
Read more

Bartholomew Nnaji

Bartholomew Nnaji is a scientist, innovator and one of the inventors of the E-Design concept. He was born in Enugu State, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics at St John's University, and then preceded to the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University for post-graduate studies. He joined the faculty at University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1983. After a few years, he became the director and a founder of the Automation and Robotics Laboratory at the University. He was made a professor of mechanical and industrial engineering in 1992. As a researcher, he focused on three major topics: Computer Aided Design, Robotics and Computer Aided Engineering. Using the knowledge he gained from his research pursuits, he created the term geometric reasoning, the idea that most things we operate has a geometric configuration. He is also credited as one of the innovators of the E-design concept. He is also the founder of the first indigenous owned power generating company in...
Post a Comment
Read more