Like her father, Annabelle Fasuba wants to win an Olympic medal

Oluwatobi Annabelle Fasuba, the 13-year-old daughter of Nigeria 100m record holder and 2008 World 60m indoor champion, Olusoji Fasuba is focused on following in his father’s footsteps after she stormed to an impressive 7.61 personal best over the 60m late last year at an indoor meeting in the United Kingdom.

Her time of 7.61 seconds, once ratified, will establish new club records across three age categories: under-15 (previously 8.11 seconds), under-17, and under-20 (both previously 7.90 seconds).

This performance also positions Annabelle as the number one under-15 female sprinter in the UK for the 2025 season.

Annabelle’s dream is however much bigger than setting underaged records.. she is looking to race to the podium at the Olympics.

According to her website, ‘she has always had big dreams. From running around the house with her father’s Olympic medal as a child to winning the 100m at the English Schools’ Championships, her journey is just beginning, but her ambitions are already clear—she’s aiming for the ultimate prize: an individual Olympic medal.

Annabelle is inspired by her father’s success as an Olympian and she has declared that she would one day achieve the same.

Her journey towards becoming an Olympic medalist began in November 2023, at just 12 years old. That was when she took her first major step towards that goal by starting professional training with coach Neil Edwards in Plymouth.

‘Since then, her growth as an athlete has been nothing short of meteoric and her father, according to the website, recalls that ‘from the moment she asked to start training, I knew she had something special. Her determination was clear, and I’ve always encouraged her to dream big but take her time, focusing on steady growth.’

Winning the English Schools’ 100m title is just the beginning for Annabelle.

Annabelle, according to her website, ‘envisions a future where she’s not just competing at the Olympics but standing on the podium with a medal around her neck’ like her father did in 2004 at the Olympics in Athens when he ran in the 4x100m men’s relay team that won a bronze medal.

‘Annabelle knows what she wants, and she’s willing to put in the work. We’re here to support her, making sure she stays grounded and enjoys the process,’ says her mother, Ngozi, also a former athlete.