Enekwechi Hits 21m Again but Falls Short in Liévin Indoor Tour

Nigerian shot put champion Chukwuebuka Enekwechi produced another 21m throw at the Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais Trophée EDF but it was not enough to secure a podium finish at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold event in Liévin.

The 33-year-old, who came into the competition with a season’s best of 21.28m from his victory in Poland earlier this month, managed a 21.06m effort in the penultimate round in Liévin.

Despite the mark, he remained in fourth place going into the final round after opening with 20.56m, followed by 20.83m, 20.73m, and 20.98m in successive rounds.

Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri claimed victory with a commanding 21.82m throw in the final round, though his earlier 21.63m effort would have been enough to secure the win.

Two-time world champion Joe Kovacs of the USA finished second with a season’s best of 21.40m from his first attempt, while world leader Roger Steen, who has thrown 22.07m this year, placed third with a 21.38m effort in the third round.