Nigerian-born wrestler Oba Femi has revealed why he chose to abandon a promising athletics career in favour of professional wrestling, following his rapid rise within WWE.
Femi, whose real name is Isaac Odugbesan, made headlines after a dominant victory over Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42 earlier this month. Speaking in a recent interview, the 26-year-old described his move into wrestling as a return to a lifelong passion rather than a sudden career shift.
Before entering the ring, Odugbesan built an impressive track and field résumé in the United States. The Lagos-born athlete attended the University of Alabama, where he excelled in shot put, winning multiple Southeastern Conference titles and establishing himself as one of the top collegiate throwers.
With a personal best exceeding 20 metres, he was widely regarded as a potential Olympic contender for Nigeria. However, he said the repetitive nature of the sport led him to reconsider his long-term path.
Femi explained that his interest in wrestling dates back to childhood, noting that he grew up watching WWE and idolising stars such as Triple H. His transition into wrestling was facilitated by WWE’s “Next In Line” programme, which scouts elite college athletes.
Since joining the company’s developmental system in 2022, Femi has enjoyed a rapid ascent. He captured the NXT North American Championship and later went on to win the NXT Championship, establishing himself as one of the promotion’s standout performers.
His high-profile WrestleMania debut further elevated his status, with his decisive win over Lesnar drawing global attention.
Standing at over six feet tall and weighing around 140 kilograms, Femi combines strength developed through shot put with agility that has made him a formidable presence in the ring. His finishing move, known as “Fall From Grace,” has become a key part of his in-ring identity.
Looking ahead, Femi said he hopes to compete for WWE’s top titles while inspiring a new generation of Nigerian athletes to explore opportunities beyond traditional sports.
His rise also reflects a broader trend of WWE recruiting athletes from collegiate backgrounds, a strategy aimed at developing new talent with elite physical foundations.