Nigeria’s opening day at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo brought mixed fortunes, with athletes delivering contrasting results across various events.
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi competed strongly in the men’s shot put final, but his throw of 21.52 metres left him finishing fifth overall.
American Ryan Crouser dominated the competition, producing a season-best 22.34 metres to secure gold, while Mexico’s Munoz Uziel claimed silver with 21.97 metres.
Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri and New Zealand’s Tom Walsh both registered 21.94 metres, but Fabbri secured bronze through countback advantage, leaving Walsh disappointed.
Nigeria’s highlights emerged in the men’s 100 metres heats, where two debutants, Kayinsola Ajayi and Sunday Okon, impressed spectators with strong performances.
Ajayi ran a personal best of 9.88 seconds to finish second behind South Africa’s Gift Leotlela, who posted 9.87 seconds fastest overall.
Okon displayed confidence and composure in his first World Championships appearance, winning his heat convincingly with 10.04 seconds to reach semi-finals.
However, the women’s events offered less cheer as Rosemary Chukwuma failed to progress from the 100 metres heats, clocking 11.27 seconds only.
In the women’s long jump, Nigeria’s hopes faded quickly as Ese Brume struggled, recording 6.46 metres which left her outside qualification positions.
Debutant Prestina Ochonogor endured a disappointing outing, leaping 6.04 metres despite previously reaching the Olympic final in Paris last year, raising concerns.
Nigeria’s day concluded with encouragement from the men’s sprints but major concerns from women’s events, highlighting urgent need for stronger performances.
The opening day results underline Nigeria’s potential in sprinting events but equally expose worrying weaknesses in field categories requiring immediate technical and mental improvement
