A U.S.-based Nigerian, Chukwuebuka Enekwachi, has set a new African record of 21.63 metres in the Shot Put at an Olympic Qualifier in the Czech Republic.
Solomon Ogba, the 1st Vice-President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), made this known in a statement on Friday.
Ogba, a former president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), also stated that Enekwachi’s achievement is also an Olympic qualifier.
”Enekwachi has also just landed a big indoor Personal Best (PB) of 21.63m in the men’s Shot Put at the Hvezdy v. Nehvizdech in the Czech.
”He broke the indoor African Record of 21.47m that has stood since 2001, by Janus Roberts of South Africa and put together his best series ever in the event, going over 21 metres on every attempt: 21.32m, 21.63m, 21 57m, 21.52m and 21.11m,” he said.
Enekwachi, born Jan. 28, 1993, is a Nigerian-American track and field athlete, specialising in throwing events.
According to Ogba, Enekwachi competes internationally for Nigeria.
He said that Enekwachi, the 2018 Commonwealth Games Silver medallist, is the reigning African Champion in the shot put.
According to him, Enekwachi who has been the 2019 African Games Champion is also the reigning Nigerian National Sports Festival Champion.
Ogba said another athlete in the Jumps, Ruth Usoro, also leapt 6.87 metres at the same qualifier for the Paris 2024 Games.
