Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi has qualified for the men’s Shot Put final at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
The U.S.-born Nigerian star, nicknamed “Mr Reliable,” produced two strong throws of 20.83m to finish 5th in Group A and 7th overall.
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His effort guaranteed him a third consecutive appearance in a global championship final, further cementing his place among the world’s elite throwers.
Enekwechi holds both the Nigerian and African record in Shot Put, having thrown 22.10m on July 5, 2025, a performance that remains unmatched in the continent’s athletics history.
He will now compete against a world-class field that includes Tom Walsh of New Zealand (21.74m), Adrian Piperi of the USA (21.47m), Ryan Crouser of the USA (21.37m), and Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri (20.95m).
Others in the final include Scott Lincoln (GBR), Wictor Petersson (SWE), Josh Awotunde (USA), Uziel Muñoz (MEX), Tomáš Staněk (CZE), Marcus Thomsen (NOR), and Konrad Bukowiecki (POL).
In the women’s Discus, Nigeria’s Chioma Onyekwere-Lyons could not secure a place in the final.
She recorded an opening throw of 59.45m, but two subsequent fouls ended her chances, leaving her 12th in her qualification group.
Obiageri Amaechi was Nigeria’s first athlete in action in Tokyo, starting with 55.69m on her opening attempt before following up with 48.82m.
Despite a promising season, Amaechi finished 16th in Group A with her first mark as her best throw.
Nigeria’s medal hopes in the throwing events now rest firmly on Enekwechi, who will seek to improve on his qualification mark and push for a podium finish in the men’s Shot Put final.
