Chukwuebuka Enekwechi Cruises into 2025 World Athletics Championship Shot Put Final
2 min read
By Sedara Philip
Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi has once again stamped his authority in the men’s Shot Put, qualifying for the final of the 2025 World Athletics Championships.
The U.S.-born Nigerian athlete booked his place in the finals with two impressive throws of 20.83m, finishing 5th in Group A and 7th overall to secure his third consecutive appearance in a global championship final.
This achievement further cements Enekwechi’s place as one of Africa’s most consistent and decorated shot putters in recent years.
Enekwechi first announced himself on the African scene at the 2018 African Championships in Asaba, Nigeria, where he won gold in the men’s shot put with a commanding performance.
That victory not only established him as the best in Africa but also marked a turning point in his international career.
At the 2019 African Games in Rabat, Morocco, he defended Nigeria’s dominance in shot put by clinching the gold medal with a massive throw of 21.48m, which remains one of the farthest throws ever recorded on the continent. His consistent dominance made him the athlete to beat in Africa.
Enekwechi made history at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, by winning a silver medal, Nigeria’s first medal in men’s shot put at the Games.
This milestone placed him on the global athletics radar and underscored his potential against some of the world’s best throwers.
Representing Nigeria at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Enekwechi qualified for the final of the men’s shot put. Though he finished 12th overall, his qualification for the final was a landmark achievement, given Nigeria’s limited history in field events at the Olympics.
Before this year’s qualification, Enekwechi had already competed in the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha and the 2022 edition in Eugene, Oregon, reaching the finals on both occasions.
This remarkable consistency places him among a small circle of elite global shot putters who repeatedly deliver at the biggest stages.
Enekwechi is also the Nigerian national record holder in shot put, boasting a personal best of 21.80m, set in 2019. This throw places him among the world’s top performers and highlights his elite ability to compete with the best globally.
Enekwechi’s qualification for the Budapest final (2025 World Athletics Championships) is not just another milestone in his career—it is a continuation of a legacy.
For Nigeria, his achievements represent a breakthrough in a discipline that has often been overshadowed by track events. His journey underscores determination, resilience, and the gradual rise of field events in Nigerian athletics.
With his track record, fans and analysts will be keenly watching to see if Enekwechi can step onto the podium and secure a historic medal for Nigeria in the men’s shot put.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
