Nigerian professional wrestler Isaac Odugbesan, known globally as Oba Femi, has lifted the lid on his journey from Olympic hopeful to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) star after a statement victory over Brock Lesnar.

Oba Femi, 28, stunned fans at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, dispatching the veteran in under five minutes. The wrestler absorbed Lesnar’s trademark F5 before finishing the clash with a chokeslam and his “Fall From Grace” finisher for a decisive pin.

The dominant performance thrust the Nigerian into the global spotlight and renewed interest in his athletic roots.

Before wrestling fame, Odugbesan competed in athletics at the University of Lagos, winning titles at the National University Games.

He later moved abroad in 2017 to pursue further studies and athletics.

Speaking to CNN ahead of his clash with Lesnar, he reflected on his earlier ambitions.

“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. I’ve been very successful in everything I do,” he said.

His track and field career continued in the United States, where he won the SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships in 2021 and 2022 and secured the outdoor title in 2020.

By 2021, however, his path had begun to change after joining WWE’s Next In Line programme, designed to recruit collegiate athletes into professional wrestling under WWE.

“They messaged me on Instagram and asked if I was interested in doing a trial. I said yes, and the rest is history. I’m guessing they saw the package, they saw the size. They saw some of my throwing videos where I showcased a lot of intensity.

“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.”

After a WWE tryout in August 2021, he signed with the company on December 8 through the Next In Line programme.