World Athletics Championships, Budapest 2023: Enekwechi, Mixed Relay Team crashed out on opening day of competition

Shot Putter, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and the 4x400m mixed relay quartet of Dubem Nwachukwu, Patience Okon George, Nathaniel Ezekiel and Imaobong Nse Uko set the wrong signal for Team Nigeria following their exit on the opening day of the 19th World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Enekwechi, finalist in the last two editions, started on the wrong note at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest with a no throw in the opening round.

The 30 year old threw 20.41m in the second and 20.68m in the third round to exit the competition.

Any 21m throw for an athlete who has thrown over 21m nine times this outdoor season leading up to these championships would have secured his qualification for the final.

Enekwechi finished eighth in his debut at the Championships in 2019 in Doha, Qatar and 11th in Oregon, USA last year.

Also out of the championships is the 4x400m Mixed relay team who finished sixth in the second semifinal heat after running a 3:14.38 personal season’s best.

The team also made it to the final last year in Oregon but has failed to replicate that a year later.

Long jumpers, Ese Brume and Ruth Usoro will be aiming to end the morning session on a positive note when they begin their journey towards making the final at 12.25 Nigeria time.

Both have to hit the 6.80m qualification mark or be among the top 12 that will qualify for Sunday’s final.