Enekwechi Gets Lausanne Boost in Diamond League Final Bid
Amusan, Ezekiel also confirmed for the Athletissima
Nigeria’s African shot put champion and national record holder, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, has received a timely boost in his quest to qualify for the prestigious Diamond League final.
The 32-year-old, who holds the African record at 22.10m, has been confirmed for the Lausanne leg of the Diamond League circuit — a crucial opportunity to secure his place among the elite in Zurich later this month.
Currently ranked sixth in the Diamond League shot put standings — the final qualifying spot — Enekwechi is set to compete this weekend in Silesia, Poland.
A strong performance there will be vital to maintain his position. Just four days later, he will head to Lausanne, Switzerland, for what could be the decisive showdown to confirm his ticket to the final at the Weltklasse Zurich.
Enekwechi’s Lausanne appearance is part of a strong Nigerian contingent expected to light up the track and field in Switzerland.
World 100m hurdles record holder Tobi Amusan will also be in action in Lausanne.
The reigning African and Commonwealth champion is aiming to qualify for her fourth Diamond League final. While she could seal her spot in Silesia this weekend, Lausanne offers a valuable safety net should she need another chance to secure qualification.
Amusan’s consistency and championship pedigree make her one of the standout names in the hurdles lineup.
Joining the Nigerian stars in Lausanne is 400m hurdles sensation Ezekiel Nathaniel.
The reigning NCAA champion continues to impress on the international stage and will compete in his specialty event. Although the 400m hurdles is not a Diamond League discipline in Lausanne, organisers have included it in the programme, offering Nathaniel a high-profile platform to showcase his talent.
His participation in Lausanne may, however, rule him out of Nigeria’s 4x400m relay team set to compete at the Region 11 Athletics Championships in Accra, Ghana, starting August 19.
With the Lausanne meet falling during the Championship in Ghana, scheduling conflicts could see Nathaniel prioritise his individual race over the team event.
