Texas High Jumper Osawese Agbonkonkon Balances Athletics and Publishing His Novel

From Frisco to UT: A Track and Field Journey

• 🏃 Osawese Agbonkonkon discovered his passion for track and field late, only in his junior year of high school, after excelling in various other sports.
• 🚀 Coaches recognized his athletic potential, particularly his jumping ability, leading to collegiate offers.
• 🎓 He ultimately chose the University of Texas at Austin, describing the student-athlete experience there as "second to none" with abundant academic and athletic resources.

Collegiate Athletic Achievements and Challenges

• 🥇 Agbonkonkon had a strong indoor season and a breakout outdoor season, winning his first three meets.
• 🤕 An injury sidelined him for six weeks, but he successfully returned to score points at the SEC outdoor conference meet and qualify for nationals.
• 🏆 Competing at nationals in a 12,000-seat stadium at Hayward Field was a significant and competitive experience.

The Genesis of a Writer

• 💡 Agbonkonkon's writing journey began in fifth grade with a standardized test prompt, sparking a lifelong passion.
• ✍️ His first novel, "Storm Survivors," was a handwritten, 150-page manuscript started in 2015 and completed over three years.
• 📚 He developed a disciplined writing routine, aiming for at least one full page nightly, enjoying the process of creating his own worlds.

Publishing "Psychic Suit" and Future Aspirations

• 🚀 After completing his first novel, he began "Psychic Suit" in 2018, which evolved significantly in word count and themes over several years.
• 💡 The novel's premise involves psychics with powers derived from alien metal, facing terrorist attacks.
• 🌐 "Psychic Suit" was published on platforms like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books.
• 🎬 Agbonkonkon aims to go pro in track and field while also pursuing film and television opportunities, potentially adapting his books.

The Synergy of Athlete and Author

• 🧠 Agbonkonkon believes his athletic discipline, particularly the technical precision required in high jump, translates to a procedural and thoughtful approach in writing.
• 💬 He incorporates significant themes like mental health, political power, and wealth into his fiction, reflecting his personal growth and awareness.
• 🌟 His coach is supportive of his dual pursuits, recognizing the unique combination of talents.