Oba Femi, the NXT Champion and former North American Champion, recently opened up about the unique challenges he faced moving from a successful track and field career into the demanding world of professional wrestling. While his background as a powerhouse shot putter at the University of Alabama gave him incredible strength and explosiveness, adapting to wrestling’s endurance and pacing was a major hurdle.
From Track Star to WWE Rising Star
Isaac Odugbesan, better known by his ring name Oba Femi, was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and built a distinguished collegiate track and field career before signing with WWE in late 2021 through their NIL (Next In Line) program for transitioning athletes[1][2]. Standing 6’6” and weighing over 300 pounds, Femi combined his natural athleticism with a growing in-ring skill set to quickly ascend WWE’s NXT brand.
After debuting on NXT Level Up in late 2022, Femi made a splash by winning the 2023 Men’s Breakout Tournament, which nudged him onto a path toward unlocking his full potential. He soon cashed in that momentum by defeating Dragon Lee to become the youngest ever NXT North American Champion, holding the title for a record-breaking 273 days[1][2][3]. His reign cemented him as one of NXT’s most dominant and promising performers.
The Challenge of “Slowing Down”
Despite his physical dominance, Femi explained in a recent interview that the transition was anything but smooth. Coming from a sport where short bursts of maximum power define performance—such as shot putting—making the leap to wrestling required a complete shift in mindset and conditioning.
“For shot put, I needed to be big, heavy, strong, explosive, just for one movement for a short period of time,” Femi said to Count on News 2. “Now I have to lean to the cardiovascular side of things, have more stamina to go long distances and long matches. It’s a different sport in itself.”[3]
His ability to slow down pacing and develop sustained endurance was his biggest personal challenge inside the WWE Performance Center, where physical training “comes with learning how to tell a story in the ring.” According to sources close to the NXT locker room, “Oba was used to lightning-fast power and explosiveness, but wrestling demands patience and pacing over multiple minutes, which he had to relearn.” This focus on stamina and match psychology has since become a cornerstone of Femi’s evolving in-ring style.
Bridging the Gap: Similarities and Differences Between Sports
Femi noted that while track and field and wrestling are dramatically different, there are complementary traits that helped his journey.
“The discipline and work ethic from track and field definitely made the adjustment easier,” he explained. “But the endurance, learning to take hits, working through pain, and thinking strategically in the ring—that’s where the real wrestling challenge started.”[1]
His training at the WWE Performance Center emphasized cardiovascular conditioning paired with technical wrestling skills, character development, and storytelling—elements critical for long-term success in WWE. His stature and athleticism have helped him perform powerful moves, but pacing each match for drama and audience engagement was an entirely new skill.
A Backstage Perspective on Oba Femi’s Rise
According to a WWE insider familiar with NXT operations, “Oba’s natural athleticism gave him a shortcut in learning the physical part, but where he really impressed coaches was his rapid grasp of character work and match psychology—traits that are hard to teach.”
The insider added, “Once he mastered that slower, measured style, he clicked. His transition from Breakout winner to North American Champion, and now to NXT Champion, shows just how serious he took this evolution.”
Indeed, since capturing the NXT Championship in early 2024, Femi has headlined some of NXT’s biggest shows, showcasing a more well-rounded wrestler who balances raw power with nuanced in-ring storytelling[1][2].
What’s Next for Oba Femi?
Now firmly established as “The Ruler” of NXT, with accolades including the 2024 Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge and record-setting championship reigns, Oba Femi’s future looks bright. His journey from a lightning-fast collegiate track and field star to a dominant, calculated wrestler offers a unique blueprint for future athletes entering WWE through the NIL program.
Femi himself acknowledges that slowing down to pace matches wasn’t just a challenge, but a crucial developmental step. “It’s what made me a better athlete and performer. Wrestling isn’t just about strength or speed; it’s about control, strategy, and heart,” he said.
As WWE continues to spotlight fresh talent from diverse sporting backgrounds, Oba Femi’s story stands out as a testament to adaptability and dedication.
Key Takeaways:
Oba Femi transitioned from collegiate track and field star to WWE’s NXT Champion through the NIL athlete development program[1][2].
His biggest challenge was “slowing down” to develop stamina and pacing required for pro wrestling matches, distinct from his explosive shot put background[3].
Femi credits his track discipline for easing physical training but emphasizes wrestling’s demand for endurance, storytelling, and match psychology as new skills he had to master[1].
WWE backstage sources praise his rapid growth in in-ring strategy and character work, instrumental in his rise from Breakout Tournament winner to record-holding champion[1].
At just 27 years old, Femi is a rising star poised to be a long-term cornerstone of WWE’s next generation of top performers[2][5].
This transformative journey shows how elite athletes can successfully pivot to WWE with the right mindset and training—setting a precedent for future NIL prospects and wrestling hopefuls around the globe.