Chukwuebuka Enekwechi represented Nigeria at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships and finished fifth in shot put with a best throw of 21.25 meters. This event was marred by complications that left him as the only Nigerian athlete due to visa issues. Chidi Okezie also faced registration challenges, limiting his participation.
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi represented Nigeria at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships held in Nanjing, China, where he finished fifth in the shot put event. He achieved a personal season best throw of 21.25 meters, marking his highest placement at an international tournament. However, this impressive performance was insufficient for him to secure a podium position.
The event was dominated by New Zealand’s Tom Walsh, who reclaimed his world indoor title with a throw of 21.65 meters, marking his third victory and sixth medal in this championship. The ensuing positions were filled by American athletes Roger Steen and Adrian Piperi, who threw 21.62 meters and 21.48 meters, respectively.
Enekwechi stood alone as Nigeria’s only competitor at the championships after the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) faced issues with visas and travel arrangements for nine other registered athletes. Originally, ten Nigerian athletes were slated to participate, but complications led to a significant reduction in the team’s numbers.
In a related incident, African Games gold medalist Chidi Okezie expressed frustrations regarding his registration. He discovered at the airport that he was only entered for the 4×400 meter relays and not for his preferred 400-meter race. Okezie stated, “I told them I’m running the 400m.” Despite the challenges, the AFN attempted to get the athletes to China, though uncertainties regarding their schedules complicated matters.
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi’s commendable fifth place finish at the World Indoor Championships highlights his potential, despite Nigeria’s misfortunes in fielding a full team due to visa complications. Key athletes like Chidi Okezie also faced issues affecting their participation, underscoring the organizational challenges within the Athletics Federation of Nigeria. The performance and challenges faced reflect the need for improved preparation and administrative efficiency for future international competitions.
Original Source: punchng.com
