Matthew Akpan dressed up as John Cena for his first two Guinness World Records (Picture: WWE/Matthew Akpan)
Leeds man Matthew Akpan continues to be inspired by John Cena as he chases another Guinness World Record.
The 34-year-old WWE superfan, who shared a love for wrestling with his late father, was diagnosed with Asperger’s a decade ago and went onto earn his first record in 2021 by finishing a marathon dressed as the legendary wrestler, who will be back on Monday Night Raw later tonight.
Matthew then secured a second record with a half-marathon in Leeds, and he has raised almost £1,000 for charities including Victim Support and Bethany’s Smile.
‘It’s just incredible, even thinking about it, being in the record books now,’ he exclusively told Metro.co.uk, while he’s now hoping to move into a career on air for BBC Sport.
In May, Matthew, who has been nominated for a Yorkshire Choice Award, is looking to break another record, this time for identifying the most WWE entrance themes in 60 seconds.
‘Although it’s a lot physically easier, mentally it’s gonna be a lot tougher to do,’ he admitted, while he will still be running the Rob Burrow marathon in Leeds in May.
Matthew completed a half marathon in 2022, one year after his full marathon (Picture: Matthew Akpan)
He is rightly delighted with his achievements (Picture: Matthew Akpan)
His previous record breaking attempts have drawn on his love for wrestling and running, and he even caught the eye of Cena himself after his first epic achievement.
He has taken inspiration from Cena’s attitude and drive, particularly with his Never Give Up mantra and passion in the face of adversity.
Matthew relates to that when it comes to his own experiences with Asperger’s, adding: ‘I won’t change for [other people], because I’m not doing anything wrong.’
He was diagnosed 10 years ago, having spent his childhood not knowing why he was different to other people.
There has been an emotional, personal side to Matthew’s record breaking achievements too, with the bond wrestling gave him with his father.
‘My father passed away in January 2021. We watched wrestling for 20 years, every Raw, every SmackDown. We started to go to wrestling events as well in the last 10 years,’ he recalled.
‘My dad, because he’s from Nigeria, he’d always say things a bit differently. Like John Cena’s [early Doctor of Thuganomics nickname], my dad would say economics! That was the key really,’ he laughed. ‘[It was] a tribute to him, because he passed away, to run it as John Cena.’
Now, Matthew hopes to use his own experiences to encourage others, and help pass on Cena’s own inspiring message.
He said: ‘I’m always gonna have this disability for the rest of my life, it’ll be about trying to empower other people with disabilities. And try to get them to, not do it my way, but if they’ve got a dream to not give up.’
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The WWE fan has been inspired by the stars on screen.