100m and 200m , it was a great feeling to have won though the pressure was on me ” he said .
ASM : How did you feel when you started your running career ? Ishmael Dudu Kamara : It was very confusing and stressful because I was still thinking about playing football for the Sierra Leone national team ; Leone Stars . But I quickly adjusted and got used to it . Thanks to my Coach , Alpha Papaya Kamara who patiently took his time to prove that I will become great in athletics .
ASM : What is the differencein playing
football and just simply running in athletics ?
Ishmael Dudu Kamara : In football we play as a team with every player given a role to play to win the game . In athletics you are alone and have to go the extra mile to train hard if you are to make an impact .
ASM : How have you been coping with training over the last few years ?
Ishmael Dudu Kamara : I have been getting the best training with one of the best Coaches in Sierra Leone , Coach Alim Kamara of Camp Canada Athletics Club . He has been very helpful to me . He is not just training me on the techniques of running , but he has also been my mentor . Truthfully speaking , training is hard in this part of the world because we lack the facilities , but we are managing . I train 6 days a week ; we do some drills , sprint a little and then go to the gym .
ASM : What was your favorite moment at the 91st Boxing Day Championship meet ?
Ishmael Dudu Kamara : My favorite moment was when I won the 100m . It was a great moment for me , seeing my fans from my place of birth in Manikala , Makeni waving flags and chanting my name at the stadium was a great feeling . It gave me the inspiration to want to do more and was the main reason behind my success in the 200m .