By Daily Sports Nigeria on October 11, 2025

Shedrack Salami’s documentary on boxer Cynthia Ogunsemilore, ‘Beyond Olympic Glory’, has won seven awards so far. The filmmaker talks about the documentary, his other sports interest, the Super Falcons, and more in this interview with PETER AKINBO

How did you get involved in filmmaking?

I first started out as a visual artist, exploring various forms of art, from design to craft and painting. Body art became my mainstream; I used the human body as a canvas to address critical social vices. That was my first way of using art to speak about issues I cared about, things like gender-based violence, bad governance and drug abuse. Over time, I realised I could go even further with filmmaking to tell real human stories, because film could carry voices and narratives beyond my immediate environment while still addressing social issues. So, in 2021, I made that transition into filmmaking.

What did your family think of it, and how did they react?

I’ve always had a supportive family who celebrate and root for me at every stage of my career, so when I decided that I wanted to be a full-time filmmaker, they knew I was going to give it my best. Although at first, my family didn’t fully understand it. Coming from a background where more traditional careers are expected, filmmaking felt uncertain to them, but when they started seeing the results with my works getting international recognition, they began to see that this was serious. Now they’re even more proud and supportive than ever before.

When you are not shooting movies, how do you relax?

I like to keep it simple. Sometimes I just watch films to recharge. Other times, I’m editing footage, which for me is still relaxing because I enjoy it. I also like to spend time with the young creatives I mentor. Listening to some good music helps me unwind, too.

When you were in school, what sport interested you and why?

It was actually athletics. I loved to run right from elementary school; I was always the kid sprinting everywhere, even when no one asked me to. Sometimes I would win races, sometimes I would just run for the fun of it. But then one day, I got a pretty bad injury during an inter-school competition, and my parents decided, ‘That’s it, no more sports for you.’ They literally banned me from competing in anything. Looking back, maybe it was destiny. If I had kept running, I probably wouldn’t be making films today.

Were you good at it then?

Well, I would say I was good enough to enjoy myself. I could run fast enough to impress my classmates, and sometimes I even won.

What sports do you enjoy now?

Right now, I would say boxing, no doubt. After working on Cynthia (Ogunsemilore)’s documentary, my eyes opened to how deep and powerful the sport really is. Before then, I didn’t really look at boxing that way, but seeing the discipline, the emotion, the storytelling inside the ring made me fall in love with it. Earlier this year, I even went to my very first live boxing match, and that experience just sealed it for me. Since then, I find myself watching matches, sometimes even boxing films, just to soak more of it in.

Why do you enjoy this sport?

The discipline it demands, absolutely, the grit in the ring and also the story of each and every one of the boxers is really inspiring.

Who is your favourite sportsperson?

Right now, Cynthia Ogunsemilore inspires me the most. Telling her story has shown me her determination and her fight, not just in the ring but in life.

Did you follow the Super Falcons’ journey at the WAFCON, and what do you think of their achievements?

Yes, I followed it. The Super Falcons have always been a source of pride for Nigeria. Their resilience and their ability to hold their own on the continent show the strength of women’s sports in Nigeria. It makes me hopeful about the future of female athletes here.

How did you get into making the documentary covering Cynthia Ogunsemilore?

I got into making the documentary ‘Beyond Olympic Glory’ about Ogunsemilore because of how personal her story felt to me, not really because it was boxing. Cynthia was from Bariga, the same community I reside in, so when I saw her journey starting from that same kind of environment and the way she was fighting through challenges, it touched me deeply, especially as someone who has also been through life’s toughest challenges. So my desire to tell her story wasn’t just about punches in the ring; it was about someone rising from nothing against all odds, carrying her dream and her country on her back. I reached out to her, told her my heart about wanting to share her story, and she was happy and open to it. Around the same time, I was selected into the StoryMi Academy documentary film fellowship, sponsored by the French Embassy in Nigeria. They gave me mentorship and funding, which helped me bring her story to life. So, for me, the film wasn’t really about sport; it was about resilience, a woman fighting against the odds, holding her own in a space not many women step into and showing the world that even from a place like Bariga, you can dream global and actually stand on that stage.

You won an award for that documentary. How did that feel?

We have now won our seventh international award for Beyond Olympic Glory, and I must say that it feels really surreal. To think about how it started, just me wanting to tell an honest human story, and then seeing people around the world connect with it so deeply. Honestly, it’s really humbling and I’m super proud about it. Thanks to Nigeria sport broadcaster Austin Okon-Akpan, sport law enthusiast Chigoze Jude, the French Embassy, StoryMi Academy and everyone who contributed to bringing the film to life.

Are there any other sports you would like to do a documentary for?

Yes, definitely. I’m open to telling stories of athletes in other sports, especially where their personal struggles and victories mirror the bigger story of society. For me, it’s always about the connection. Once I feel that real connection with the character or the story inside that sport, then I know I can give my all to it. It could be boxing again, football, athletics, anything really, as long as there’s that human story that pulls me in. What motivates me to do a documentary is that personal bond, that moment when I can see myself or my community or our struggles in the person I’m filming. Once I feel that, it goes beyond just making a film; it becomes carrying someone’s truth to the world. That’s what inspires me every single time.

If you got a chance to actually pursue a career playing sports, would you have taken it?

Maybe. Back in school, I thought about it because I loved the sport, but I believe, after all, filmmaking was where I was meant to be.

When it comes to Nigeria, who are your favourites in teams and sportspersons?

Source Punch Ng

Posted October 11, 2025

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