Eche Chinonso has emerged as a five-time champion of the Guinness World Record in a roll for the most consecutive football touches in one minute while balancing a football on the head.
He was only about 10 years old when he first broke and set a record, and since then, Chinonso has been on a roll. Chinonso is currently living in Anambra state with his family, where he also attends school and plays football. This made him the only Nigerian with the highest Guinness World Records.
In an interview with Ikenna Obianeri of the Punch Newspaper, Chinonso Eche shares his thoughts, experiences and insights.
How old are you?
Chinonso Eche: My name is Chinonso Eche. I am the third child of my parents. I am 14 years old and I am in JSS3.
Where were you born?
Eche Chinonso: I was born in Warri, Delta State.
You are a five-time Guinness World Records Holder in football juggling. Was this part of what you desired to achieve with your talent?
Eche Chinonso: No. It was my manager, Chukwuebuka Ezugha, that brought the opportunity my way and I am happy I utilised the opportunity very well. I got my fifth Guinness World Record in Milan, Italy, in February (this year) after surpassing my previous records.
What do these records mean to you?
Eche Chinonso: They mean a lot to me. In fact, I can’t explain how much this (fifth record) means to me. It is my fifth record and it is for the most consecutive football touches in one minute.
I am very happy and I pray for more success. I am also grateful to God for giving me this talent that has announced me to the world.
At what age did you notice the talent in you?
Eche Chinonso: My father told me that I used to play with my mother’s cup and other objects as football at home when I was three years old. He said he noticed this talent in me. He later bought a football for me and started taking me outside to play with it.
Did juggling cups and other fragile objects not come at a cost?
Eche Chinonso: Yes, I broke a lot of objects in the process and I also injured myself on several occasions. I got a lot of scolding from my mother for doing this, but I didn’t allow that to deter me.
Do you have mentors who inspired you?
Eche Chinonso: Yes, I do. My father is my number one coach, he started mentoring me the moment he discovered my football abilities when I was three years old. That was before my coach, Chukwuebuka Ezugha, who is the creator of Chukwuebuka Freestyle Entertainment and Academy, came and made me a world star. The academy has won 14 Guinness World Records since its establishment in 2019.
What does the academy do?
Eche Chinonso: It discovers kids who can do great things with a football. It prepared me for the records I have so far made. It mentors me in football (as a sport) and freestyle football. I juggle a football for several minutes.
Apart from the injuries you sustained, are there other challenges you have encountered?
Eche Chinonso: I have encountered a lot of challenges, including a lack of support and finance. But I am happy that everything is getting better now. After meeting with the governor of my state, things are beginning to change and I give glory to God.
How did you feel when the governor awarded a scholarship to you?
Eche Chinonso: I was very happy. He is the governor of my state and as a result, he is a father to us. I am very excited that he and his wife recognised this feat, and I am not going to take it for granted. The scholarship means that the stress of my education has been taken away from my parents and they will have to concentrate on my five other siblings. The governor and his wife watched my football displays after which they became passionate about helping me to achieve my dreams and they are committed to my development. The governor’s wife said my talent was very special, and must be rightly harnessed.
Do you intend to take football up as a lifetime career?
Eche Chinonso: Yes, I do, but right now, the focus is on my academic activities.
What is your career goal?
Eche Chinonsoe: I want to play for the best football club in the world.
How often do you practice?
Eche Chinonso: I train two times daily, morning and after school hours.
Did you also get support from your mother when you started juggling objects?
Eche Chinonso: At first, my mother was indifferent but after much persuasion from my father, she became convinced and started supporting me.
How do you balance the football activity with your education?
Eche Chinonso: My family members are helping me out and they are making sure that both activities are well managed.
What is your performance at school?
Eche Chinonso: I am doing my best.
What inspires you in life?
Eche Chinonso: Giving my family a better life where we will not have to struggle to survive (inspires me) and I believe my talent will take me to places.
Mrs. Julius Eche, the mother of Anambra-born football freestyle talent, Chinonso Eche who recently became a five-time Guinness World Records holder, tells IKENNA OBIANERI how her son’s talent has impacted her family
Your son recently got global recognition for his skillful use of a football that has so far earned him five world records. Did you see this coming?
I am Mrs Julius Eche. I am from Enugu-Ukwu, in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State. I am the mother of Chinonso Eche, the five-time Guinness World Records holder. I am a tailor.
I knew he would be great when I started observing that he had great skills in that field (freestyling with football) and he started training to develop the talent, but I never knew it would come from this angle of him becoming a world record holder.
How do you feel about it?
I am very happy and proud of him. He put a smile on our faces and announced our name to the world. Chinonso’s story is one that should inspire every child about living their dream and working towards achieving them. Look at us, a family with a very humble background now known because of one person’s talent.
How many children do you have and is Chinonso your first child?
I have six children and he is my third child. I gave birth to all my children in Warri, Delta State.
At what age did he begin to display his skills in juggling football?
When he was six years old, his father used to take him out for training and he also (trained) at home and that was how he started developing himself in that area. When he was three years old, he started using all kinds of objects, including fragile ones, as football. He juggled them and injured himself on many occasions, till his father bought a football for him.
Did you give him your support when he initially started juggling objects or did you feel he was being too playful to the detriment of his academic studies?
I was scared at first but when I noticed my husband was fully involved, I prayed for him to succeed as we continued to monitor his progress and successes. Our role as parents in his life is to help him to flourish in his chosen career because it is a practical avenue for building a bridge to the future. We owe it a duty to give our support to him.
How did you receive the news of the scholarship your son got from the Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo?
I was happy when my husband informed me about it. This will ease the stress of paying his school fees. He has five other siblings. We are very grateful to the governor and may God continue to bless the governor and his wife for this. The governor told us that he was very passionate about helping people to achieve their dreams and that he was committed to youth development.
In making a career decision, will he have your support if he decides not to go to the university, but pursue a football career?
Yes, he always has my support as far as anything that has to do with his development is concerned, but I will continue to let him know the importance of education in his life and make sure he prioritises it as he makes critical decisions in life. I will also want him to play football and school in Europe because he is talented.
From birth, were there things you noticed about him that made you feel that he was a special child?
My son is someone who doesn’t give up until he gets the job done both in his footballing talent and academic work. He is a go-getter and this is a special attribute I have found in him. He always has the belief that nothing is unachievable.
How often does he practise?
He practices at home in the morning and on the field in the afternoon after school hours. He is a workaholic, always busy doing something.
Who does he take after?
His father.
What’s his current performance at school?
He is doing well and is also very passionate about his academic work. We are doing our best. His father, elder sister, and I are helping out and making sure we manage both his school activities and talent for him to ensure he remains focused.
