Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi has made athletics history, becoming the first African athlete to throw beyond 22 meters in the men’s shot put, following a record-breaking performance at the Eugene Diamond League on Saturday.
Enekwechi delivered a stunning throw of 22.10 meters to smash his previous African record of 21.91 meters, which he set at the same venue during the 2023 edition of the competition. His new mark places him firmly among the world’s elite in the event and further solidifies his reputation as Africa’s leading shot putter.
Despite finishing third overall, the Nigerian’s performance was the highlight of the evening for the continent, as he not only broke the long-standing 22-meter barrier but also pushed two of the sport’s top competitors to their limits.
Joe Kovacs of the United States won the event with a world-leading distance of 22.48 meters, while fellow American Roger Steen edged past Enekwechi for second place with a personal best of 22.11 meters, achieved on his fifth attempt.
Enekwechi, who had saved his best throw for the fifth round, tried to go even farther on his final attempt but registered a distance of 21.68 meters. Nonetheless, his fifth-round effort was enough to etch his name into the African record books.
“This is a huge milestone for me, my team, and for Nigeria. Breaking 22 meters has been a long-term goal, and doing it here, in a world-class field, makes it even more special,” Enekwechi said post-event.
The 31-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable rise over the past few years, consistently delivering strong performances on the global stage. He is a former African Games gold medalist, Commonwealth Games silver medalist, and has reached the final of several World Athletics Championships and the Olympic Games.
Saturday’s record-breaking throw is a major boost to his preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he is expected to be a medal contender for Team Nigeria.
The Eugene Diamond League meeting, part of the prestigious Wanda Diamond League series, is often regarded as a strong barometer of pre-Olympic form, and Enekwechi’s record comes at a crucial time in the buildup to the summer’s biggest sporting event.
With this performance, he now ranks among the top shot putters globally in 2025 and becomes one of the few athletes to consistently surpass the 21-meter mark across multiple seasons.