Chukwuebuka Enekwechi has become the first Nigerian to win a gold medal in the men’s shot put event at the Commonwealth Games (CWG).
The 33-year-old threw 21.07 meters in the final of the event at the Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland, on Thursday to achieve the feat.
He successfully upgraded the silver medal he won in the 2018 CWG and completely exorcised the disappointment of a fourth-place finish in Birmingham in 2022.
Enekwechi defeated New Zealand’s Tom Walsh, who had won the last two CWG titles, with his penultimate throw of the contest. Walsh had been ahead of the pack with the 21.03-meter mark he achieved in his first attempt and had no match response when Enekwechi usurped his lead.
Scott Lincoln of England finished in the bronze medal position with a throw of 20.99 meters.
Enekwechi has been one of Nigeria’s most consistent track and field athletes for the past decade. He holds the African record and has won five continental titles for Nigeria.
His gold medal takes Nigeria’s medal tally at the 2026 CWG to 15. The Nigerian contingent at the event has won eight gold medals, five silver and two bronze.
