Chioma Onyekwere-Lyons targets historic 65:00m throw at Ed Murphey Classic
Reigning Commonwealth Games discus throw champion, Chioma Onyekwere-Lyons, will headline a strong contingent of Nigerian athletes competing this weekend at the Ed Murphey Classic, a prestigious World Athletics Continental Tour silver event holding in Memphis, Tennessee.
Onyekwere-Lyons, who currently holds Africa’s leading mark for the season with her 64.12m effort in Ramona, Oklahoma, is aiming to enter the elite ranks of global discus throwers by becoming the first African woman—and the 157th athlete globally—to surpass the 65.00m barrier.
Joining her in the women’s discus field is fellow Nigerian thrower, Obiageri Pamela Amaechi, who has registered an impressive 63.01m this season.
Both athletes will face stiff competition from some of the world’s top-ranked throwers, including reigning world champion Laulauga Tausaga of the United States, who has posted a season’s best of 70.72m, and Olympic silver medallist Valarie Allman, the current world leader with a throw of 73.52m.
Also in the mix are Gabi Jacobs (SB: 68.21m), Cierra Jackson, the 2025 NCAA champion (SB: 67.82m), and Alida Van Daalen of the Netherlands, the 2023 European U23 discus and shot put gold medallist.
In addition to the women’s discus, several other elite Nigerian athletes will compete in Memphis, marking a significant show of strength for the nation’s track and field talent on the international stage.
Sprint sensation Favour Ofili will contest the 200m in her first outing since clocking a swift 22.27 seconds earlier in May. Olympic long jumper Ruth Usoro returns to competition following her appearance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, bringing renewed focus and energy to her event.
Completing the Nigerian lineup is Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, Africa’s new shot put record holder, who continues his dominant form this season. Enekwechi will feature in the men’s shot put and is expected to contend strongly for top honors among a competitive field.
