National wrestling champion Ashton Mutuwa has shared the inspiring story of his wrestling career, his decision to represent Nigeria, and his aspirations as he prepares for the Olympics.
Mutuwa, born in the United States to a Nigerian father and an American mother, began his wrestling journey in Indiana. Inspired by his childhood love for WWE, he attended his first wrestling practice expecting theatrics but instead encountered freestyle wrestling. “I started at seven, quit for a few years, and returned at 14. Initially, I was terrible, losing most of my matches, but I stuck with it, and it’s been an incredible journey since,” he recounted.
His parents played a crucial role in supporting his career. “My mum was scared to watch me wrestle, but my dad loved it. He traveled across the US to watch my matches. Their encouragement helped me grow,” he said.
Mutuwa initially pursued wrestling in the United States but paused after college to take up a career in cybersecurity. However, a conversation with a childhood friend, who now represents Serbia in wrestling, reignited his passion. The friend encouraged him to represent Nigeria, a decision Mutuwa saw as a chance to reconnect with his roots.
“It was an opportunity to meet family I hadn’t seen in 15 years and experience Nigeria in a new way. Representing Nigeria at the African Games and now the Olympics is an honor,” he said.
Despite his achievements, the journey has not been without challenges. His silver medal win at the African Games in Accra was bittersweet. “It was my second-ever freestyle competition. Losing in the finals was disappointing but showed me areas to improve,” he said.
Qualifying for the Olympics remains his proudest achievement. “Every wrestler dreams of this. It’s a chance to represent my family, my hometown in Indiana, and Nigeria on the global stage,” he stated.
Balancing academics and sports during his college years was difficult, but Mutuwa said it taught him time management skills that continue to serve him well. Now, his ultimate goal in wrestling is simple: “Have fun. When I enjoy wrestling, success follows. That’s always been my mantra.”
Mutuwa also praised Nigeria’s female wrestlers, calling them an inspiration. “Their commitment and camaraderie in camp are remarkable. Watching them dominate motivates me to push harder.”
As Mutuwa prepares for the Olympics, he is determined to make history for Nigeria while celebrating his heritage and love for wrestling.
