Chukwuebuka Enekwechi has made history by becoming the first African to throw beyond 22 metres in men’s shot put.
His remarkable feat came at the Eugene Diamond League on Saturday, where he launched an African record distance of 22.10 meters, thereby surpassing his own limits.
Although Enekwechi finished third in the event, his throw was a groundbreaking moment for African athletics. Previously, his personal best stood at 21.91 meters, which he set at the same venue last year. However, with this performance, he not only improved on that mark but also shattered the continental record.
While Joe Kovacs claimed top honours with a world-leading throw of 22.48 meters, the competition was fiercely contested. Roger Steen managed to secure second place by a whisker, delivering a personal best of 22.11 meters on his fifth attempt. That narrow margin pushed Enekwechi down to third, despite his historic performance.
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Even though Enekwechi had one last chance to better his mark, he could only manage 21.68 meters with his final attempt. Still, the Nigerian’s achievement resonated strongly, especially as it placed him among the elite in global shot put history.
Moreover, this performance is expected to boost his confidence ahead of upcoming international meets, including the Olympic Games. With consistency and improved technique, Enekwechi is now being seen as a legitimate contender on the world stage.
His latest record continues a trend of Nigerian athletes making significant breakthroughs in field events.
Tags: Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, Eugene Diamond League, first African, 22 meters, shot put, Joe Kovacs, Roger Steen.
