Echikunwoke inducted into University of Cincinnati Hall of Fame

Nigeria and African hammer throw record holder and Paris 2024 Olympics silver medalist, Annette Echikunwoke has been inducted into the University of Hall of Fame.

The 28-year-old made history in Paris as the first USA woman to win a medal in the Hammer throw in the history of the Olympic Games.

Born in Pickerington, Ohio, Echikunwoke has been recognized by her alma matter not because of her Olympic feat but more for her incredible feats while she was a student athlete at the University.

The Nigerian American is one of the more decorated athletes in University of Cincinnati history.

She won the 2017 NCAA Indoor Championships in the weight throw and finished runner-up in 2018 and remains the school record holder in four of the five throwing events she competed in at University of Cincinnati.

Echikunwoke was delighted with the recognition she received and took to her Instagram page to express her joy.

She wrote: What an honor. The season I’ve had is nothing short of extraordinary and I got the chance to celebrate in the place where it really all began.

‘Induction into the Hall of Fame is such a huge honor but also served as a moment to reflect on the amazing growth I had as an athlete and person when I was at UC.’

Echikunwoke has grown from being an NCAA champion to an Olympic medalist. She achieved this Olympian height after switching her allegiance back to her place of residence, the USA.

This was after the trauma she suffered at getting disqualified from competing at the Olympics in 2021 for Nigeria for no fault of hers.