Oba Femi Chooses WWE Career Over Olympic Dreams

Oba Femi, a 28-year-old athlete whose real name is Isaac Odugbesan, has transitioned from aspiring Olympic shot put competitor to a WWE wrestler. Initially on a path to compete in the Olympics and world championships, he relocated to the United States in 2017, where he achieved significant success in collegiate athletics, including back-to-back titles at the SEC Indoor Championship in 2021 and 2022.

However, in 2021, a turning point occurred when a WWE scout identified his athletic profile on Instagram and invited him to participate in WWE's NIL program, designed to recruit standout collegiate athletes for professional wrestling. Femi accepted the opportunity, stating that the transition to wrestling was facilitated by his explosive strength and competitive mindset developed during his years in track and field.

He officially signed with WWE in December 2021, concluding his athletic career in traditional sports and beginning a new chapter in professional wrestling, where he aims to inspire a new generation of Nigerian athletes.