USA Volleyball’s Nigerian Gem: Chiaka Ogbogu on Cultural Influence and Olympic Gold

Center Blocker Chiaka Ogbogu, 29, helped the U.S. girls’s volleyball crew seize its first-ever Olympic gold medal on the Tokyo Video games. Whereas Individuals nationwide had been celebrating their victory with tears of pleasure and cheers of triumph, hundreds of miles away in Nigeria, Ogbogu’s prolonged household was equally elated.

Ogbogu, a first-generation Nigerian-American who grew up in Coppell, Texas, displays on the transformative energy of illustration and the way that gold-medal second transcended each cultures within the dialog under.

The Texas alum is ready to make her second Olympic look on the 2024 Paris Video games, the place the U.S. girls purpose to defend their gold medal.

*This interview has been edited for size and readability.

You’re a first-generation Nigerian-American. What tribe is your loved ones from and what does your title imply?

Chiaka Ogbogu: Each of my mother and father are Igbo, and my title in Igbo means “God decides”.

What was it like rising up in a Nigerian family?

Ogbogu: I inform individuals on a regular basis, it felt like dwelling a double life in all the most effective methods. I’m first-generation. I grew up in American tradition when it got here to high school, sports activities, and most of my social life however once I was dwelling it was like being transported to Nigeria. Each of my mother and father had been born and raised in Nigeria and spent most of their life there. They made it very obvious that [our] family, was a Nigerian family. So it got here with all of the customs, meals, and gatherings.

My upbringing was actually cool due to that. I maintain on to a whole lot of these reminiscences and now trying again, I’m simply actually grateful that my mother and father made it a degree to make sure that me and my siblings grew up in a family of our tradition.

Inform me extra about your mother and father. How previous had been they after they moved to the U.S. and what have they shared with you about their upbringing in Nigeria?

Ogbogu: I’m undecided precisely how previous my dad [Henry] was. He’s a medical physician. He went to med college in Nigeria however did his residency in New York. I don’t know what age that sometimes occurs however my mother [Victoria] moved right here in her early 20s they usually each met in New York, which I believed was actually ironic. That they had me in New Jersey after which we moved to Dallas shortly after.

Now that you just’re older do you are feeling such as you’re capable of absolutely perceive the magnitude of the sacrifices your mother and father made in transferring to a different nation for a greater life, particularly with you taking part in abroad professionally? Has that ever crossed your thoughts, and if that’s the case, how does it make you are feeling?

Ogbogu: Sure! My expertise now taking part in abroad is an enormous testomony to my mother and father. It’s not straightforward to go to a international nation the place you aren’t accustomed to the cultures, you don’t actually know lots of people. I’ve a whole lot of shared experiences with them of feeling actually uncomfortable in a brand new place, going there for my profession, and nonetheless overcoming many challenges to thrive.

My mother tells me on a regular basis that she has no regrets; she simply knew that she wished her eventual kids to have limitless prospects and [based on] all the pieces she knew about America, [she believed] that was [achievable] right here.

What are some values and traditions out of your Nigerian tradition which have made you into the particular person and athlete that you’re in the present day?

Ogbogu: Oh, that’s an amazing query! I’m very biased however I consider Nigerians are a number of the most hardworking individuals I’ve ever come throughout. It was undoubtedly a household worth that was instilled in my brothers and me. However I believe culturally throughout the board, work ethic, in addition to respect is a big factor. Particularly respect for elders and simply being well mannered in that sense. However I believe the most important factor is simply working exhausting. If in case you have that work ethic then nobody can take that away from you or take something away from you. Every part that’s inside your attain, you may take primarily.

What’s your favourite factor about being Nigerian?

Ogbogu: I’ve a pair issues. Meals is primary. I do know there’s an ongoing debate about Ghanaian Jollof rice vs Nigerian Jollof rice. I’m biased, clearly I’ll all the time say Nigerian Jollof rice is best. I believe Nigerian meals is so good.

I really like the brand new hype and wave round Afrobeats. [I grew up listening to] a whole lot of Nigerian artists, clearly the sound is somewhat bit totally different now than it was within the 90s and early 2000s nevertheless it’s simply been actually cool to see. So many cultures throughout the board actually embrace African music and African musicians.

I additionally suppose Nigerians are natural-born comedians. I do know at a whole lot of household features, it’s nonstop laughter and I’ve a whole lot of reminiscences rising up of that.

You began taking part in volleyball in center college. Did you ever think about that that is what your life could be like? What would center college Chiaka consider this model of you?

Ogbogu: I completely didn’t think about my life would appear to be this. I inform individuals on a regular basis that the Olympics was probably not a dream of mine. Not as a result of I by no means thought it will be a cool alternative, however I by no means thought that it will occur for me simply because rising up in a Nigerian family, they pleasure themselves on training. We joke concerning the three careers that you just’re allowed to have—a health care provider, lawyer, or engineer—{and professional} athlete is just not on that checklist. So it by no means was one thing I believed would get thus far or magnitude.

I don’t know what center college Chiaka would say. She in all probability wouldn’t consider that this was her calling. I loved volleyball at that age, and it was a extremely cool introduction as a result of I received to do it with my buddies, which is why I even began taking part in volleyball. So, to suppose that I’d have made it thus far at that age, I wouldn’t have believed it.

I’ve heard you say that once you acquired your first recruitment letter, that’s sort of when a change went off for you and also you had been like okay, if I work more durable at this I can earn extra however what was your mother and father’ preliminary response to you taking part in volleyball and when did they understand that this might be critical for you?

Ogbogu: They had been very supportive. [When I first started] taking part in volleyball I believe it was only a pure factor for youths the place I grew as much as have a whole lot of extracurricular actions. I believe their largest [priority] was all the time that faculty comes first, so so long as it didn’t intervene with my research, they had been all for it.

I believe once I acquired my first recruitment letter, that’s when my mother and father realized, ‘Whoa, this volleyball factor can take you to totally different heights.’ Initially, it was concerning the potential for incomes a scholarship to college, so that they inspired me to benefit from that chance and proceed working exhausting. They noticed the imaginative and prescient after visiting faculty campuses and doing somewhat bit extra analysis and have become increasingly more snug with the concept [volleyball] was not going to intervene with, however quite assist, my targets.

After we spoke final summer time, you talked about that your former teammate, three-time Olympian Foluke Akinradewo Gunderson, who can also be Nigerian, was certainly one of your position fashions once you had been developing within the sport. Are you able to discuss how her instance helped ease your mother and father’ minds concerning the concept of you taking part in volleyball professionally?

Ogbogu: Sure, oh, my queen! I believe when it got here time to [decide] whether or not I’d pursue grad college or take this chance to play professionally, I had an inventory of Nigerian-American feminine athletes [who chose] the skilled athlete route as a substitute of additional training. They’ve been actually profitable and have been capable of department off right into a myriad of various issues.

[Foluke] was on the high of the checklist and I received recommendation from her. I believe the cool factor about being a Nigerian-American is all of us reside a whole lot of the identical experiences. So similar to I used to be getting ready to have this discuss with my mother and father to persuade them that that is one thing I actually wished to do, she had achieved it years earlier than. So I used to be getting recommendation from her. She mentioned, ‘Finally, your mother and father will come round. Secondly, we have now to know that that is all new to them as nicely. It’s not initially what they supposed for his or her kids after they got here to America. It’s a nuanced factor, so the extra you clarify, and supply examples, the extra they are going to grow to be snug with the concept. After which, it’s additionally only a matter of time—time tells all the pieces.’

Foluke was an instance, the Ogwumike sisters, Nneka and Chiney, each skilled girls’s basketball gamers, had been an instance. My dad follows sports activities, religiously, so listening to about them and their success at Stanford, within the WNBA, and of their particular person endeavors [helped]. Having extra examples of actually robust, Nigerian-American feminine athletes was actually useful in simply assuring my mother and father that I used to be making the correct choice.

These are some powerhouse girls in your checklist! Quick ahead to the Olympics. At this level, I’m certain your title has already been in each single certainly one of your mother and father’ WhatsApp group chats attributable to all of the success you’ve had—incomes a full scholarship to play on the College of Texas the place you had been the varsity’s all-time blocks chief, and taking part in professionally abroad.

I’m certain you’ve made your mother and father proud, and that’s in all probability an understatement. What do you suppose it meant to them to see you not solely go to the Olympics, however to win gold, and to do it with a Nigerian final title on an American jersey?

Ogbogu: It’s actually cool to consider as a result of, to your level of WhatsApp, they had been getting messages from distant relations, household buddies, and friends-of-friends [expressing] how proud they had been of me This included folks that they don’t typically discuss to or haven’t met. I do know my mother and father are tremendous pleased with me.

Seeing a Nigerian title on an American jersey or an American one thing holds a whole lot of weight. I’m certain it was past their wildest goals for certainly one of their kids. To this present day, it’s so humorous; my mother might be on the telephone with somebody from again dwelling, and she or he’ll point out that I’m within the room they usually’ll be like ‘The Olympian?! The gold medalist?!’

It’s actually cool realizing that it extends far past my mother and father and I’ve realized how a lot weight it holds. It’s not only for my rapid household and even my distant household. I believe it holds a whole lot of weight for Nigerians [all over] the world. I don’t take that flippantly. It’s an honor to symbolize Nigeria.

You simply touched on it somewhat bit, however how particular was that second in your prolonged household again in Nigeria?

Ogbogu: My mother was sending me movies and messages of all of them freaking out post-Tokyo, how proud they had been of me, and the way all of them wished a jersey to take again. I believe my mother ended up giving certainly one of my uncles a jersey to take again to Nigeria. It was actually humbling and actually emotional simply to listen to how impressed they had been. My uncles had been telling me, regardless that I’m like a 3rd of their age, how proud they had been and the way impressed they had been by me.

What does your gold medal victory imply to the Nigerian neighborhood? Have individuals come as much as you or messaged you?

Ogbogu: Sure, I [experienced] the same state of affairs this previous summer time with a Nigerian males’s volleyball participant. He performs at an Ivy League college and is his mother and father’ dream [child]. He [asked me for advice] about how I helped my mother and father be extra snug with the concept of knowledgeable volleyball profession.

It was actually cool simply to be on the opposite finish of that as a result of for thus lengthy, I used to be the one who was looking for solutions and recommendation from the folks that I had talked about. Having a youthful male [ask me for advice] made me understand that that is actually transcending Nigerian tradition, sports activities, and volleyball.

It’s actually cool to be part of it and we’re preserving in contact—he’s killing it. It was a full-circle second for me. I’ve had many situations like this via social media messages, however that second for certain was one thing that made me really feel emotional as a result of that is actually what it’s all about—illustration. Folks can’t [aspire to] be one thing until they see it. If they’ve examples and get to talk to these examples, who is aware of what they’ll be capable of accomplish.

I really like that and I’m certain that meant a lot to him! What did profitable Olympic gold imply to you?

Ogbogu: It’s a testomony to this program and I really feel prefer it’s been a very long time coming. We’ve had so many gifted folks that I’ve idolized and regarded as much as once I was youthful and all through my profession. Successful gold felt like a thanks to them, as a result of in a whole lot of methods they paved the way in which. Particularly for myself, realizing the Brown ladies who got here via this program, I felt actually particular to be part of that. I don’t even suppose I’d have been on this place had I not seen them undergo it.

What did you be taught out of your expertise on the Tokyo Video games?

Ogbogu: Going into Tokyo I used to be coping with some accidents and I didn’t suppose that I’d make the crew. However my expertise is a reminder that I can do and overcome troublesome issues. One thing I attempt to inform myself is that what God has for me, no man can take. So so long as I do not forget that, I don’t consider that there’s something that may cease me or this crew from what we’re destined to have.

How would you describe the dynamic of the U.S. Girls’s Nationwide Volleyball Staff?

Ogbogu: We do a extremely good job of placing the crew first. It sounds cliché and corny however we are able to all converse to the truth that we’ve been on groups the place that hasn’t been the case. Everyone seems to be so dedicated to [creating] expertise for all and that’s what makes it really easy to work [together]. When you’ve gotten work atmosphere you’re extra keen to point out up energized, pleased to be there, and keen to offer. I actually respect the management of our employees and the ladies who’ve created this tradition the place the message is evident: all people is vital, all people has one thing to contribute, and nobody will get left behind.

Switching gears – when was the final time you went to Nigeria? What was your expertise like, and have you ever ever considered what your life would have regarded like in case your mother and father stayed in Nigeria and had you there?

Ogbogu: The final time I used to be there was in December 2019. I used to be really taking part in in Italy on the time and we had every week off for the Christmas break. From [Italy] it was like a seven-hour flight, which was good. I visited my dad’s village with my household. In his village, it’s customary for the daddy’s sons to [provide] a home there, so my dad shares one along with his brothers, and that’s the place we stayed for Christmas.

I don’t know what my life would have been like had I grown up there. My mother and father used to threaten us on a regular basis with that and say, ‘We’re going to ship you guys again to Nigeria and also you’ll see. You’ll be pleased about what you’ve gotten right here.’ And I’m certain they’re 100% proper. However my brothers and I, rising up, had been similar to, what does that even imply?

However I’m excited to return! I’m making an attempt to [experience] “Detty December” which is when everybody comes dwelling. I didn’t get to expertise it in 2019 and I wasn’t actually in Lagos at the moment. However I wish to return as an grownup with my brothers, household buddies, and cousins. The meals is superb, the music, it’s an entire vibe!

After I noticed you final summer time we talked about the way it wasn’t cool to be African rising up. Earlier, you talked about how we’re seeing Afrobeats trending and a lot of African tradition is being celebrated proper now. Did you see individuals who regarded such as you and shared your Nigerian tradition whereas rising up in Texas? Have been individuals accepting of your title and heritage?”

Ogbogu: Earlier, I discussed this sense of dwelling a double life—clearly at dwelling and in our Nigerian communities, I used to be 100% Nigerian, that’s all I knew. However for many of my childhood, I went to predominantly white colleges that had range, however not a whole lot of African range.

I believe as a child, you by no means wish to stand out an excessive amount of or be the odd particular person out. So clearly, coming in and having a reputation that’s not typical to American tradition, it was powerful feeling insecure or simply embarrassed that it took adults or different youngsters some time to discover ways to correctly pronounce my title. For the longest time, I wouldn’t right them till my dad mentioned ‘If they will pronounce the names of the most important philosophers, athletes, and heroes of this world, they will discover ways to pronounce your title.’

Getting teased, [people would say] ‘What’s that? Why does your title sound like this?’ They wouldn’t actually care to be taught the total pronunciation. I additionally felt embarrassed if I introduced my very own lunch, like Jollof rice or another African dish, and didn’t need individuals to see it. [They would say] ‘Oh, it smells’ or ‘It seems totally different.’ Youngsters are youngsters, so I can’t blame them for that. However even adults confirmed ignorance when speaking about Africa and resorting to stereotypes.

I believe a whole lot of Africans simply chuckle now that Afrobeats is such an enormous factor as a result of it’s like, ‘Okay, now that’s cool. Now you guys wish to be part of it.’ However any likelihood that you just get to rejoice African tradition usually, I believe is superior.

Ogbogu: African tradition usually is just not a monolith, there are such a lot of totally different African international locations. Even African international locations that border one another might be so totally different by way of language, tradition, meals, politics, and so forth. [People should] take the time to be delicate and study that. I believe usually it takes desirous to study one thing to be right about one thing. However simply realizing that even inside Nigerian tradition, not all people’s upbringing was the identical. We joke in our circles that it was, however actually attending to know another person’s particular person expertise, helps [to understand] their story and the way they determine with the tradition. However not all people identifies with their African tradition the identical method.

Earlier on you talked about being an instance for an Ivy League athlete. You might be another person’s “Foluke”. You’re a position mannequin for the following technology. What does that imply to you and what does illustration imply to you?

Ogbogu: It’s surreal. I believe I’ve all the time had this fixation with illustration. I’ve all the time simply naturally gravitated in the direction of individuals in media who regarded like me, seemed like me, or had related upbringings. I all the time keep in mind getting excited even watching faculty volleyball in highschool or center college and seeing that a number of the stars on the crew are Black, after which studying that a few of them had been African. I simply suppose it’s so vital. It helps construct confidence in youngsters. I undoubtedly can say it helped construct my confidence simply seeing that illustration.

I believe it means the world, nevertheless it’s extremely humbling to know that I’m somebody’s ‘Foluke’. Even taking part in along with her, I used to joke that I nonetheless noticed her as an idol for me, regardless that we had been friends. It’s humbling to know that I might be that for another person.

Africa has the youngest inhabitants and is the fastest-growing continent, but the Olympic Video games have by no means been hosted there. Do you suppose that we’ll ever see Africa host an Olympics in our lifetime? What wants to vary?

Ogbogu: Oh, we must always! Our world [volleyball] tournaments are hosted in so many alternative elements of the world. They’ve taken place in Brazil, a whole lot of Asian international locations, and South America, and these days, the dialog questions why no African nation has hosted regardless that African groups have participated in a whole lot of these tournaments.

It requires board members who’re making these choices to do analysis and safe funding. Even for America to host some volleyball tournaments, it’s very costly, and I do know it’s not straightforward to do. We don’t typically host the most important tournaments due to that. However I believe if we actually wish to see our sport develop, it’s going to take consciousness, funding, and [collaboration across] the totally different delegations to [ensure fairness] and supply alternatives for various continents to get to really feel and expertise internet hosting. I believe that will assist the dialog with regards to internet hosting larger tournaments just like the Olympics, World Cups, and so forth.

Earlier on you mentioned that your title means “God decides.” While you replicate in your journey and the place you at the moment are, how do you suppose that has performed out in your story?

Ogbogu: I consider it’s prophetic as a result of a whole lot of my life felt like I used to be being led by one thing I didn’t actually perceive or have a whole lot of details about. Even simply pursuing volleyball to start with, it simply felt proper. Selecting the College of Texas once more simply felt proper. With every journey, once you’re in it, it doesn’t actually really feel prefer it’s all the time the correct factor. You’ve moments of doubt. You’ve moments the place you are feeling insecure about your choice, however trying again on all the pieces, I do know that God aligned this path for me to get thus far. Folks say to watch out what you title your kids, particularly if it has a that means as a result of that often tends to return to fruition. However in all the most effective methods, I believe my title has actually [manifested].

Alright, it’s time for a lightning spherical and the theme is “For the Tradition”. What’s your favourite Nigerian dish?

Ogbogu: Jollof rice.

Jollof rice or pounded yam?

Ogbogu: Jollof Rice.

Fried yam or plantains?

Ogbogu: Ooh plantains! I ought to have mentioned that as my favourite dish!

Afrobeats or Amapiano?

Ogbogu: Afrobeats! Though I do love Amapiano. I’ve simply gotten into it lately!

Favourite Afrobeats artist in the meanwhile?

Ogbogu: I like Ayra Starr and Burna Boy.

Most listened to tune of 2024 to this point?

Ogbogu: Recently it’s been “City Boys” by Burna Boy.

Editor’s Word: By Way of Africa is a collection dedicated to highlighting the expertise and tales from the African continent and its diaspora. African tales are price telling, and the tradition—the entire languages, tribes, and traditions—is price celebrating. Embedded in these narratives is a profound testomony to the diligence, self-discipline, and work ethic deeply ingrained in African heritage. Whether or not born on the continent or dispersed throughout the globe, the contributions of those tales to society resound uniquely, by means of Africa.