Nigerian Record-holder in the men’s Shot put, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi was on a roll while competing on Day 1 of the Nigerian Commonwealth Games/World Championships Trials in Benin, consistently throwing over 20m in all his attempts to retain his title from last year.
His victory was never in doubt, going by his throws during the warm-up session which captivated the fans at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and kept them asking for more. This he did, eventually saving his best throw for last, extending his Season’s Best (SB) of 21.20m set in Mauritius to a new mark of 21.25m.
Pleased with his final throw, the 2018 Commonwealth Games Silver medallist took a bow to appreciate the massive support of the fans. Olukorede Samuel was 2nd with 14.52m while Abujei Chinedu was 3rd with 14.40m.
This is Enekwechi’s third title at the National Championships, having dominated the men’s Shot put at his first appearance in 2016, and then 2021. He also won the 2018 National Sports Festival (NSF) in Abuja and is the continental champion in the event, winning back-to-back GOLD medals at Asaba 2018 and Mauritius 2022, as well as the 2019 African Games.
The African Games Record holder will be hoping to make history in Oregon as the first Nigerian to make the podium in the event. He will also be hoping to turn the Silver medal he won four years ago in Gold Coast, Australia, to GOLD in Birmingham when the Commonwealth Games starts immediately after the World Championships in Oregon.
