Enekwechi Finishes 11th as Nigeria’s Medal Drought Continues at World Indoor Championships

Nigeria’s sole representative at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Toruń, Poland, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, finished 11th in the men’s Shot Put final on Sunday, extending the nation’s medal drought at the competition.

The 33-year-old, who placed sixth in 2024 and fifth in 2025, had hoped to climb higher this year or even make history as Nigeria’s first medalist in the event.

He opened with a throw of 19.79m before improving to 20.04m on his second attempt. However, a foul on his third effort left him outside the top eight, missing out on prize money and a podium finish.

Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Tom Walsh secured gold with a throw of 21.82m, earning a record-breaking seventh world indoor medal.

The 34-year-old, who previously won titles in 2016, 2018, and 2025, now holds more world indoor medals than any male athlete in history.

The United States completed the podium sweep, with Jordan Geist taking silver at 21.64m and Roger Steen clinching bronze with 21.49m.

Nigeria has not won a medal at the World Athletics Indoor Championships since Ese Brume claimed silver in the women’s long jump in 2022.