Nigeria is my beloved country - Enekwechi

Nigeria is my beloved country - Multiple African Shot Put King, Enekwechi
...I want to reach the final in Paris Games

By Maxwell Kumoye

“At any given opportunity to represent our country at a competition, I always put Nigeria first. That is the spirit and it is paying off for me.”

This is the submission of newly crowned Africa men's Shot Put champion, Chukwuebuka Cornnell Enekwechi.

The U.S.-based Enekwechi was the first member of the 40 man strong Team Nigeria Athletics to engrave the country's name in gold at the ongoing 2024 African Senior Athletics Championships in Douala, Cameroon.

Chukwuebuka Cornnell Enekwechi, threw a distance a of 21.22m, which is a Championship Record.
Enekwechi, is also the African Indoor Record holder in the event.

His victory in Douala is the third title in a row for the 31 year old at the African Senior Championships which started in Asaba, Delta State, South South, Nigeria in 2018 and 2022 in Saint Pierre, Mauritius.

Enekwechi bettered his Championships Record (CR) of 21.20m set two years ago in Saint Pierre by 2cm, striking gold with a new record of 21.22m.

Beside winning his third consecutive gold, the Nigerian has consistently broken the Championship Record (CR), with his winning throws at every edition of the African Senior Championships he has attended:
✓ Nigeria 2018 - 21.08m
✓ Mauritius 2022 - 21.20m
✓ Cameroon 2024 - 21.22m

He stated that his major focus now is how to put smile on faces of Nigerians at the fast approaching Paris 2024 Olympics Games.

“Currently, I am among the top Shot Putters in the world. At the Olympics, my intention is to make it to the final first, and from there anything can happen. Who says Ebuka cannot return home with a medal at the Olympics? I will go for it with the Nigeria spirit of never-say-die. I pray I achieve my dream in Paris.”

Despite his size, and international exposure, Enekwechi remains one of the most humble athletes Nigeria ever produced in track and field. He attends to whoever comes his way, no matter his busy schedule.

The President of the AthIetics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa described Chukwuebuka Cornnell Enekwechi as a dependable and reliable athIete.

HIS ACHIEVEMENTS AND TITLES
★ Highest world ranking - number 8

Personal Best(s)
✓ Outdoor Shot Put - 21.80 - Schifflange 2019
✓ Indoor Shot Put - 21.20 - Iowa City 2023
✓ Hammer Throw - 72.77 - East Lansing 2015

MEDAL RECORD
★ Commonwealth Games
Silver medal – 2018 Gold Coast, Shot put

★ African Games
Gold medal – 2019 Rabat, Shot put
Gold medal – 2023 Accra, Shot put

★ African Championships
Gold medal – 2018 Asaba, Shot put
Gold medal – 2022 Saint Pierre, Shot put
Gold medal – 2024 Douala, Shot put