Nigerian Athlete Oba Femi Reveals Journey From Shot Put Star to WWE Superstar

Nigerian wrestler Oba Femi, formerly Isaac Odugbesan, shares how he transitioned from shot put and Olympic dreams to becoming a WWE superstar after joining WWE’s Next In Line program

SPORTWRESTLING

4/27/20261 min read

Isaac Odugbesan, popularly known in WWE as Oba Femi, has opened up about his remarkable transition from a track and field athlete and Olympic hopeful to a professional wrestling superstar in the United States.

The Nigerian-born athlete, who once competed in shot put and represented the University of Lagos at national competitions, said he initially dreamt of winning medals at major global championships, including the Olympics and World Athletics events.

“I had aspirations to go to the World Championships, to go to the Olympics, to win medals—and I achieved some of that to a degree,” he said in an interview.

Oba Femi’s sporting journey began in Nigeria, where he competed at the National University Games before relocating abroad in 2017 to further his education and athletic career. During his time in the United States, he continued to excel in athletics, winning multiple titles at the SEC Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

His path later took a dramatic turn in 2021 when he joined the WWE “Next In Line” programme, an initiative designed to recruit elite collegiate athletes into professional wrestling. He revealed that WWE scouts contacted him via social media after noticing his physical strength and throwing technique.

“They messaged me on Instagram and asked if I was interested in doing a trial. I said yes, and the rest is history,” he said.

Following a successful tryout, he officially signed with the company in December 2021, beginning his journey in professional wrestling.

Oba Femi recently made headlines after a dominant performance against WWE veteran Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, a victory that has significantly boosted his global profile.

He credited his athletic background for his rapid rise in wrestling, noting that discipline and training as a track and field athlete helped shape his career.

“When you are an athlete, it’s a lifestyle. You become well-rounded as a person, and that is why my rise has been meteoric,” he added.