GLASGOW – Nigerian shot putter Chukwuebuka Enekwechi made history for his country by placing 6th in the men’s shot put final at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow on Friday, after recorded a distance of 21.60m with his best legal put in the final round
It comes just a week after 2022 Commonwealth silver medallist set a new African record of 21.63m in the Shot Put at the 2024 Hvezdy v Nwhvizdech Indoor Tour Silver World Athletics in Czech Republic.
The 31-year-old came just 3cm short of his own African record of 21.63m, which he set earlier but failed. This mark earned him a 6th place finish, the highest ever World Championships placement for a Nigerian in the shot put event.
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi had also landed a 21.54m in the men’s Shot Put at the World Indoor Final in Madrid 2024 to finish fourth just three days after setting his own African Record.
He however demonstrated his consistency and preparation as he builds towards the 2024 Paris Olympics.
While Enekwechi performed well, the event was dominated by American Ryan Crouser, who won gold with a Championship Record throw of 22.77m. Crouser edged out New Zealand’s Tom Walsh, who took silver with 22.07m.
Enekwechi was still one of the best non-American finishers in the event. His result continues Nigeria’s steady rise in the throwing events. After making the shot put final at the 2019 World Championships, Enekwechi has now earned the highest World Indoor shot put finish for his country.
His record feat in the Czech Republic beat the Paris 2024 Olympics qualifying mark and broke the 13-year-old African indoor record of 21.47m, which was set by Janus Roberts South Africa) in 2001.
With the experience under his belt, the African record holder now sets his sights on challenging for his first major medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics next summer.
