2024 World Indoor Championships: Focus shifts to Brume as Nwachukwu, Enekwechi falter in Glasgow

Ese Brume has once again become the woman to deliver the medal after the duo of Dubem Nwachukwu and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi failed to make history after the conclusion of events of the opening day of the World Indoor Championships, Glasgow 2024.

Brume is making her second appearance in the competition after winning a long jump silver in her debut two years ago in Belgrade, Serbia.

Like it was in Serbia when the then 25 year old emerged Nigeria’s lone medalist, it is looking more like a repeat performance as the long jumper remains the only realistic hope for a medal.

Nwachukwu raised hopes of a possible appearance in the final when he qualified to run in the 400m semifinal but the hopes were dashed in the semis when he finished fifth despite running faster (46.69) than he did in the opening round (46.91).

He has not only failed to become the second Nigerian to run in the final of the event since Sunday Bada did in 1997, he is also not going to become the second Nigerian to make the podium in the event, also after Bada.

Enekwechi finished sixth in the Shot Put final with his 21.60m effort in an event USA’s Ryan Crouser set a 22.77m Championship record to win.

A medal would have made him the first Nigerian man to win a global medal in the event.

New Zealand’s Tom Walsh was second (22.07m) with Leonardo Fabbri of Italy third (21.96m).

Meanwhile, Brume will compete on Sunday, the third and final day of the Championships as well as the men’s 4x400m relay team.