Yemisi Ogunleye has captured significant attention with her recent performance in the women's shot put at the ongoing Olympic Games.
While her victory in the shot put category has been celebrated by many, it’s her background and charisma that have particularly resonated with Nigerians.
The 25-year-old Ogunleye, who competes for Team Germany, bears a Nigerian name and exudes a charm reminiscent of a quintessential Nigerian.
However, amid the excitement surrounding her heritage and achievements, a video has resurfaced featuring the shot put champion singing a Nigerian gospel song, further connecting her to her roots.
Video of Yemisi Ogunleye singing surfaces
The 25-year-old, who clinched gold in the shot put with an impressive throw of 20.00 metres, recently had an interview from the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow earlier this March resurface.
#Paris2024- 𝙇𝘼𝙉𝘾𝙀𝙍 𝘿𝙀 𝙋𝙊𝙄𝘿𝙎 𝙁𝙀𝙈𝙈𝙀
— Thomas.F 🌎 (@ToomaaaF) August 9, 2024
Incroyable scénario à son dernier lancé Yemisi Ogunleye chipe la médaille d'or à la néo-zélandaise 👏
🥇Yemisi Ogunleye 🇩🇪 20.00
🥈Maddison-Lee Wesche 🇳🇿 19.86 PB
🥉Jiayuan Song 🇨🇳 19.32#Olympics #GOLD pic.twitter.com/cDVK8vhtNL
In the interview with Making of Champions, a visibly excited Ogunleye was asked about her Nigerian heritage and her connection to Nigeria.
She responded:
"I am German, and my dad is Nigerian... I am a mixed girl. It makes me proud to represent Nigeria, Ekiti State, where my dad is from, as well as my hometown of Bellheim in Germany. It gives me so much confidence to know that so many people are supporting me and believing in me even when I struggled to believe in myself."
Ogunleye also emphasised her connection to Nigerian culture by performing a Nigerian gospel song.
"I am a German, and my Dad is Nigerian... I am a mixed girl. It makes me proud to represent Nigeria...."
— Making of Champions (@MakingOfChamps) August 10, 2024
Women's Shot Put Olympic champion, Yemisi Ogunleye speaking to us earlier this year in Glasgow. pic.twitter.com/nXqtmD5X59
According to Olympics.com, the 25-year-old won her first Olympic medal by defeating New Zealand’s Maddi Wesche and China’s Song Jiayuan to take the top spot on the podium.
