Carl Ikeme was a goalkeeper for Wolverhampton. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Directly from the Premier League, Carlk Ikeme, former Wolverhampton goalkeeper, showed that he is literally willing to beat anyone who dares to confront him. Forced to hang up his football gloves in 2018 to fight leukemia, the athlete overcame the obstacle and decided to dedicate himself to another sport: martial arts. According to the fighter, love at first sight was a great motivation for the initial kickoff.
“I was filling up my car at a gas station near my house and saw a sign for Gracie Barra, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu academy in Sutton Coldfield, England,” Carlk told the newspaper Express & Star.
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Carl Ikeme in his jiu-jitsu debut. Photo: Reproduction/Youtube
Despite occasional defeats in football, the former goalkeeper realized, in an unconventional way, that his strength is capable of bringing many victories throughout his life. Currently present in MMA, the fighter highlighted that his old desire has been fulfilled.
“I always wanted to try this sport, that's why I signed up for a competition. It’s about realizing that nothing else matters when you’re on the mat, because you’re two people focused on trying to get the best out of each other,” concluded Ikeme.
The athlete debuted last year and overcame the previously undefeated Brit Fuad Ahmed, in an event promoted in London. In addition to this feat, Carlk won the bronze medal at the European MMA championship. Away from the net and the football at the age of 32, the fighter became an example of overcoming and proved that victory is within everyone's reach.
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