Chukwuebuka Enekwechi becomes the first Nigerian ever to win Commonwealth shotput gold

SHOTPUTTER Chukwuebuka Enekwechi has won Nigeria's eighth gold medal at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with a throw of 21.07 metres making him the first ever Nigerian to win top prize in the event.

Eight years after winning silver at the 2028 games in Gold Coast Australia, Enekwechi, 33, delivered a season's best last night in the fifth round of the men’s shot put final at Scotstoun Stadium. Now the first-ever Nigerian to win the Commonwealth Games title in the event, he dethroned defending champion Tom Walsh of New Zealand, who had led the competition with an opening throw of 21.03 metres.

England’s Scott Lincoln claimed bronze with a throw of 20.99 metres, meaning the margin between gold and silver was just four centimetres. Enekwechi admitted after the contest that the high-stakes final was a gruelling battle.

He added: “Nothing worked in my favour. If you watched the competition, I struggled and I was pretty pensive the entire time but we train hard for this competition. Last time I had torn adductors and I got fourth, so I had to kind of redeem myself and I’m glad I did today.

“I’ve dreamt about it since Gold Coast 2018. I got a silver in my debut Commonwealth Games, and I wanted to upgrade it but I had to wait eight years instead of four, so I’m glad it’s finally coming true.”

After taking silver at Gold Coast 2018 and battling through injury to finish fourth at Birmingham 2022, Enekwechi finally reached the top step in Glasgow. He now becomes the first Nigerian male athlete to win gold in any heavy throwing event at the Commonwealth Games.

A five-time African champion and one of Nigeria’s most consistent field athletes over the past decade, Enekwechi's victory underscores his status as a titan of Nigerian track and field. Nigeria currently has eight gold medals and will be hoping to pick up a few more in athletics over between now and Sunday when the games end.

Meanwhile, Tobi Amusan lost her 100 metres hurdles title last night too, finishing third and picking up the bronze medal. She blamed injury for her failure to successfully defend her title after crossing the finish line in 12.60 second behind Bahamas’ Devynne Charlton who won gold in 12.33 second and Jamaica’s Megan Simmons who came second in 12.41 seconds.

Amusan said: “I had a pretty bad fall at training camp, so I’ve been a bit concerned about my knee coming into this meet. However, I’m just thankful I was able to hold it together and get on the podium once again.”

Currently the world record holder, Amusan won gold in the event at the 2018 and 2022 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, and Birmingham respectively. She had been one of Nigeria's gold medal favourites going into these games.