Enekwechi Faces Global Rivals, Ashe Joins Simbine, De Grasse in 100m Showdown in South Africa
Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi will make his 2026 outdoor debut at the prestigious Simbine Classic in Pretoria, South Africa, as he looks to extend his dominance in the shot put.
The reigning African Games and African Championships gold medallist enters the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver event as Africa’s top-ranked thrower, courtesy of his 21.28m mark indoors earlier this year.
Enekwechi, a finalist at the World Indoor, World Outdoor, Olympic Games and Diamond League, will face familiar opposition in USA-Nigerian Josh Awotunde, alongside a strong South African contingent led by national champion Aiden Smith, who has already thrown 20.89m this season.
Other challengers include Nick Ponzio, Zane Weir, Kyle Blignaut and Bernard Baptist, ensuring a high-quality field against which the Nigerian will test his form.
Nigeria will also be represented in the men’s 100m sprint by Favour Ashe, who joins a star-studded line-up headlined by South Africa’s Akani Simbine and Canada’s Andre De Grasse.
Ashe will be up against Emmanuel Eseme of Cameroon, the African Games champion, as well as South African talents Shaun Maswanganyi and Retshidisitswe Mlenga. The race promises fireworks, with several athletes in the field boasting sub-10 second credentials.
