Sports

Israel Adesanya

Isreal Adesnaya, sometimes known as the Last Stylebender, a derivation of the character Aang; the Last Airbender, is a mixed martial artist known for his fluid, technical and stylistic way of fighting. He is signed under the fight promotion; Ultimate Fighting Champions, where he currently holds the UFC Middleweight World Championship belt. He gained a ton of notoriety from defeating hall of fame fighters like Robert Whittaker and Anderson Silva. In 2019, he won and unified the UFC Middleweight Championship, and has held the belt since then. His professional MMA record stands at 21 wins and 1 loss. Very recently, earlier this year, he successfully defended his belt against the Italian fighter Marvin Vettori.

Giannis Antentokounmpo

Arguably one of the most accomplished athletes in Nigeria’s history. At just 26 years old, he is already a two time NBA Most Valuable Player of the Year, once in 2019, and another in 2020. He was also simultaneously the defensive player of the year in 2020, making him one of only three players in the 75-year history of the NBA to win a defensive player of the year and MVP in the same year, alongside Basketball deity Michael Jordan and fellow Nigerian legend Hakeem the Dream Olajuwon. To cap it off perfectly, he won the NBA Championship this year, and was named the finals MVP. Prior to that, he had been given a 4-year contract extension of $228 million by the Milwaukee Bucks. Other notable achievements in the NBA includes, a 5-time all-star, the 2017 Most Improved player of the year, All NBA first team 2019 till 2021. He is also a Nike Ambassador, with his very own signature brand; The Nike Freaks. 

Blessing Oborududu

She is a highly accomplished ground and pound specialist who has been a world champion for ten years straight now. With the exception of 2012, where she couldn’t participate because of her entry into the 2012 Olympic games, she has won a gold medal at the African Wrestling Championships every year for the last 11 years. This year, she got her crowning achievement, when she took home the Silver medal in the Tokyo Olympics for wrestling, making her the first of only two Nigerians to win a medal in these recently concluded Olympic Games. She is he first wrestler to win an Olympic medal representing Nigeria at the Olympics. She is currently ranked as the world number two woman wrestler in the world. Earlier this year, she won the silver medal in her event at the 2021 Poland Open held in Warsaw, Poland.

Usman Kamaru

He is one the three Africans holding a UFC world title, alongside, Israel Adesanya and Francis Ngannou. Usman Kamaru, known in the octagon as the Nigerian Nightmare, is the UFC Welter Weight Champion. In 2015, he joined the fight promotion and it took him no time to acclimate himself with the sport’s climate, he won his first bout, and was immediately given a contract. Since then he hasn’t lost any fight, recording an impressive 14 wins 0 loss record in the UFC. His total MMA record stands at 19 wins 0 losses. He won the UFC Welter Wight Championship in 2019 against Tyron Woodley, and has held the belt since. He also successfully defended his Championship twice this year, once against the box office sensation Jorge Masvidal.

Nneka Ogwumike

She is a savvy veteran and highly accomplished basketballer who plays for the for the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was the number 1 overall pick in the WNBA 2012 draft and has since lived up to expectation. On her resume are WNBA Champion and WNBA MVP. She is a signed Nike ambassador, and already a sure ballot in the WNBA Hall of Fame. Last year, she had her best season statistically, and had her best individual championship run.

Efe Ajagba

Efe Ajagba is a fast rising boxing star, who has been putting the boxing world on notice for the last 6 years. From the humble streets of Ugheli to the big stages of Glasgow, Ajagba is a gifted athlete who has been on track to making the best of his gifts. He is a gold medalist, having won the gold medal representing Nigeria in the 2015 African Games. He took home bronze in 2014, representing Nigeria in the Common Wealth Games. By last year, he improved his professional record to 12 wins 0 losses, and by April 2021 that record improved to 15wins 0 losses Having being listed as one of the five possible contenders for the WBC belt in 2020, and having a professional record of 15-0, it won’t be long now before this boxing star is given a title shot at the world championship.

Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua is one of those athletes whose superstardom has transcended the boundaries of just his sports. His fame, his larger than life persona, and his accolades have all, over the years, culminated to his rise as a global superstar. He is the unified world heavy weight champion, who has held the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO since his rematch victory against Andy Ruiz in 2019. He is an Olympic gold medalist and an outright box office fighter whose Skybox pay per views have reached an all-time record of 12 million. Having taken down big name fighters like Alexander Povetkin and Wladimir Klitschko, he has not only proven to be the best heavyweight boxer in the world, he has also cemented his legacy as one of the greatest of all time.

Kelechi Iheanacho

Kelechi Iheanacho is the forward for the English football team, Leicester City. He first began in football career in Manchester city in 2015, after which he was traded to his current team for the whooping sum of 25 million Euros. Since joining the team he has netted 21 goals in 97 appearances. He is one of Nigeria’s most successful footballers currently playing, and has been an inspiration to young aspiring athletes in the local football scene. He is a Football Association Challenge (FA) cup winner and a Charity Shield / FA Community Shield champion.

Arike Ogunbowale

Arike Ogunbowale is a WNBA player, who currently plays point guard for the Dallas Wings. She was drafted the fifth overall pick in the 2019 draft, and in her short span in the WNBA, she has experienced tremendous success. She won the 2021 all-star MVP as a sophomore, she made the all-rookie team in 2019, and the all WNBA team in 2020. She also won the WNBA scoring title in 2020. Prior to her WNBA career, she enjoyed huge success in the collegiate level. She is a NCAA champion and was named the NCAA most outstanding player 2018. Her stint with success is not only making her a force to reckon with in the WNBA, it’s also making her a fan favorite amongst young aspiring female basketballers all across Nigeria.

Ese Brume

She was the first of only two athletes to take home a medal during the recently concluded Olympic Games. She is an athlete who specializes in Long Jump. She came third in the long jump contest, bagging bronze medal. She is a three-time African senior champion in the long Jump and holds a personal best of 7.17 m.  She also won the bronze medal in the World Championships with a jump of 6.91m in 2019.

Chinedu Okafor

For Chinedu Okafor, its all about making an impact with words,  creating a profound impression on the audience with the intended narrative.