Daniel Igali (2012) - Hall of Fame - Simon Fraser University Athletics

Simon Fraser University Athletics

Hall of Fame

Daniel Igali

Class

1999
Induction

2012
Sport(s)

Wrestling

From 1997-1999, Daniel Igali dominated NAIA wrestling. Igali completed his three-year career at Simon Fraser with an undefeated 116-0 collegiate record. He won three NAIA National Titles and was named Outstanding Wrestler at two of the meets. He won his first title in the 158-lbs. weight class and his other two competing in the 165-lbs. class. In 1999, Igali became Canada's first men's world champion and then in 2000 he won the Olympic gold medal in the 69kg weight class in Sydney, Australia. Igali was chosen to be the flag bearer for Canada at the 2003 Commonwealth Games, where he went onto capture the gold medal.

At the 2004 Games in Athens, Greece, Igali placed sixth in the 69 kg. weight class. He participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games as a coach and mentor. In 2002, Igali began working toward establishing a primary school in his home village of Eniwari in the Niger delta region of Nigeria. After securing over $400,000 in funding, his dream is now a reality. Maureen Matheny Elementary school contains 11 classrooms, a gymnasium, an auditorium, a library, computer room, and an administrative block.

Igali is also involved in several advocacy groups, is President of the Igali Foundation, is a mentor for Dreams Take Flight, and was involved with the 2008 and 2010 Olympic bids submitted by Toronto and Vancouver. He is a member in both the British Columbia and Canadian Halls of Fame.

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