RIYADH: “Follow your dreams to the full … if you are determined and relentless you’ll make it … I am the living proof … following my dreams and realizing it…” said World Wrestling Entertainment’s (WWE) superstar Kofi Kingston in a message to Saudi youth while speaking to the author.
The Ghanian-American wrestling superstar who is currently one of the World Wrestling Entertainment’s (WWE) biggest draw cards, thanks to a big dose of self-belief, is here to promote WWE. The International event will be held for the first time in the Kingdom soon.
He is a crowd favorite — igniting the stadium with his signature cry the loud “Boom Boom Boom” as he makes a grand entrance prior to a bout. So far on his stay in Riyadh, he says, has been a “Boom, Boom, and Boom”.
Kofi, while espousing his self-belief, said: “When I was a kid I would tell people I wanted to become a wrestling superstar and they would just laugh at me thinking it was tall talk, and I would not be able to make it, because I was not that strong and big. But just fast forward the years, and here I am in Riyadh with 10 championships under my belt.”
“I’m living my dream and there are very few people in the world, who can honestly say that,” he added.
The 31-year-old six-footer with dreadlocks, an imposing figure and a 500-watt smile, is presently in Riyadh to participate in the WWE show.
Going back to his dream-chase rather than be a “bean-counter” in corporate America, he said with a big smile animatedly, “I followed the standard path of school, college, graduation and then an office job and I wasn’t very passionate about what I was selling.”
He was expected to become a revered teacher like his father and grandfather but “following his dreams. I made it to the wrestling arena and reached the top”. He added, “It was sheer dint of hard work that helped me reach the top.”
“I also took a gamble and trained as a wrestler,” taking him six years to get signed to the $1 billion franchise. But he made it.
When asked what about his wife’s reaction? Whether she is supportive or scared every time he enters the ring? he said: “She’s my biggest fan, watches my bouts but tends to get a little scary, little worried for my wellbeing. But you know it’s one of those things she knows is the nature of this business.”
On mentioning his eight-month-old son he gushed like any new dad. “Having your first child can be very scary and you worry that you don’t know what you are doing. But when you have a child there is nothing really like it. We are very blessed and happy.”
On his stay in the Kingdom, he said: “I love it, so far it’s been awesome, everybody is been really welcoming and friendly here, I am getting a chance to take in the culture which is a very rare thing for me and I’m very excited.”
The Ghanian superstar, who is a graduate from Boston College, is also excited about the Saudi sword gift he recently got. “I collect swords, so it was really, really cool, a complete surprise, I can’t wait to get it home and enjoy it.”
The camel ride on “Hadaj” was also “awesome”, the dates he has eaten were “cool”, he added.
Now Kofi looks forward to interacting with Saudi youth and do a “Boom Boom Boom” with them.
The event will be part of the youth development programs in sports and social activities undertaken by the Saudi government.