As the 2025 collegiate track and field season concludes, we look back at the truly inspiring performance of Nigerian 100m hurdler, Adaobi Tabugbo. Her journey this year is a powerful testament to perseverance, athletic talent, and unwavering faith, culminating in her long-sought-after goal of achieving a sub-13 second performance in the 100m hurdles.
Overcoming Early Challenges: A Testament to Raw Talent
Adaobi’s path to track and field success was far from easy. While she now thrives in the supportive NCAA Division I track environment at Central Florida (UCF), where her transition from BYU was “very good”, her early athletic career presented significant obstacles. Growing up in the United States after being born in Nigeria, Adaobi faced a challenging family situation following the passing of her father when she was just two years old. With her mother working constantly to support six children, extracurricular activities were not feasible, meaning Adaobi didn’t even start track until high school, considered “a little late” in the track world.
Remarkably, despite her raw athleticism allowing her to make varsity as a freshman, Adaobi never had a dedicated hurdle coach throughout her entire high school career. She never broke 14 seconds during this period, yet astonishingly, she won regional state championships five times purely on natural ability and “no form”. This early period of self-reliance and untapped talent truly highlights the “miracle” of her current achievements in collegiate athletics.
The Road to Sub-13: Coaching, Technique, and Nutrition
This championship season, her athletic success is largely attributed to the refinement of her hurdle technique under her new coach at UCF. Her coach “noticed certain things that needed to be fixed and was like, okay, we’re going to do it. We’re going to take it one step at a time”. Beyond expert coaching, Adaobi also emphasized an enhanced focus on sports nutrition, incorporating more grains and vegetables this year, and benefiting from a new, “phenomenal” strength and conditioning coach who prioritized injury prevention and athletic strength in the weight room. However, the most significant improvements, she notes, have been in her hurdle technique, acknowledging that while she is naturally athletic, “there’s so much technique that goes into it”.
One of the most defining moments of her 2025 season was breaking the 13-second barrier for the first time. Though it was wind-aided, this breakthrough performance came earlier than expected and served as a powerful validation of her hard work and newfound belief. Starting in an unfavorable Lane 9 (“obviously no one really lights lead nine”), Adaobi ran her “own race”, pushing harder in the final stretch, a testament to her competitive spirit.
Facing Setbacks with Faith: World Championships and Beyond
Looking ahead, Adaobi is focused on Nigerian national trials to improve her world ranking, with an eye on African Championships and Commonwealth Games next year. Unfortunately, due to confusion and delays with anti-doping testing (“water testing”) (specifically three required tests for Nigeria), she will not be competing at the World Athletics Championships this year, a “really hard to swallow” piece of news that she has chosen to leave “in God’s hands”. This setback, while frustrating, has not diminished her resolve, showcasing profound mental fortitude.
Adaobi’s motivation stems from a deep-seated belief in her athletic potential and divine gifting. She openly discusses moments of wanting to quit, but consistently receives signs to “still keep going”. Her resilience is deeply rooted in her faith; she shared that reading her Bible has helped her overcome severe anxiety, and she turns to prayer and scripture during difficult times, finding that “the pain, the frustration and the weight” begin to lift within a few days. This strong mental health strategy is a key component of her athletic success.
Beyond the Track: Hobbies, Passions, and Personal Growth
Beyond the track, Adaobi finds peace and creativity in hobbies like crocheting, which she describes as “so peaceful”, drawing (she showed off a piece she made during a “paint picnic” with friends), and brain games such as puzzles. She also revealed her unexpected preference for Ghana jollof over Nigerian jollof, citing the rice grain and dryness as appealing factors, though she maintains a preference for Nigerian jollof overall. She even mentioned loving other Ghanaian foods like “watching mantou” and “peanut soup”. Adaobi also identifies as a soccer fan, supporting Arsenal, but also appreciates Liverpool’s “team dynamic” and “chemistry”. She looks up to athletes like Usain Bolt, Blessing Okagbare, and Cristiano Ronaldo, admiring the latter’s “work ethic”.
Adaobi’s Message: Live in the Moment, Redirect Energy
Her advice to aspiring athletes is profoundly practical: “live in the moment” by giving your best in whatever you are doing right now. She wisely notes that anxiety, stress, and fear are all energy that cannot be eliminated but can be “redirected” towards the task at hand, whether it’s a practice drill or an upcoming race.
Conclusion: A Bright Future Ahead
Adaobi’s 2025 collegiate track season is more than just statistics and personal bests; it’s a powerful narrative of overcoming adversity, embracing personal growth, and leveraging faith as a cornerstone of mental strength. Her journey serves as a powerful inspiration for any young athlete or individual facing challenges, reminding us that with resilience and dedication, breakthroughs are always within reach.
