Cheta Emba, a Harvard graduate with a degree in molecular and cellular biology, approached her dream of becoming an international athlete with an analytical mindset. Initially, football seemed to be her best path to the global stage, having earned a spot as a goalkeeper with the Washington Spirit academy in the National Women's Soccer League.
However, it was during her time at university that she discovered rugby, a sport that would ultimately lead her to become an Olympic medallist. "I'm Nigerian-American, and my dream was always to play at the international level," Emba shared. "It would have been amazing to represent either the United States or Nigeria."
Choosing to represent the USA, Emba is now ready to step into the spotlight as the Eagles face England in the Women's Rugby World Cup’s opening match.
Emba, born in Richmond, Virginia, to Nigerian parents, was raised in a family that emphasized traditional African values. "One thing my parents taught me was, if you're going to do it, do it well. See it through," she recalls. "Education always came first, and everything else was secondary. As long as I did well in school, I could spend time outdoors."
Her dedication to those values earned her a place at Harvard, where she started as a goalkeeper on the women's football team but soon discovered the physical challenge and joy of rugby. Encouraged by her roommates, Emba decided to explore rugby during her off-season. "At first, it was a mindset shift because rugby is all about contact, whereas in football, the referee protects you," she explains.
Emba's natural talent and the prospect of international competition led her to commit to rugby. "The coaches were supportive, and as I got more excited about the game, I saw an opportunity," she says. While Emba was not selected for the USA sevens squad at the 2016 Rio Olympics, she made her World Cup debut in 2017 in Ireland, starting all four games and scoring against Spain and England.
Her Olympic debut came at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Games, where the USA finished sixth. But the pinnacle of her career came at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the USA clinched the bronze medal by defeating Australia. "It’s been a long time coming," Emba says, believing the victory will help grow the sport in the United States. "Rugby shows that anyone, regardless of body type or skillset, can thrive in this sport."
Emba's achievement also helped alleviate any concerns her parents had about her involvement in rugby. "They were nervous at first because rugby isn't very popular in the United States or Nigeria," she says. "But once they saw me competing on the world stage, they fully supported me."
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As Emba prepares for the World Cup, she may find herself playing alongside Ilona Maher, one of the biggest names in women’s rugby, who gained attention as a runner-up on Dancing with the Stars. Emba believes rugby’s embrace of physicality is empowering for women. "In a world that expects women to be meek, rugby shows you can be strong, fierce, and competitive."
Emba and her team aim to make history, echoing the USA's win at the inaugural Women's Rugby World Cup in 1991. "To reach the podium would be amazing. To win would be the highest achievement, but we’re taking it one step at a time," she says.
For Emba, rugby has allowed her to pursue her dream of international competition, and now, her goal is to conquer the sport.