Enekwechi Out of 24th African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra
Reigning African Shot Put king Chukwuebuka Enekwechi will not defend his crown at the 24th African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra.
In a stunning development, the African record holder was left off the official start list released Tuesday morning, ending hopes of a historic fourth consecutive title win.
Enekwechi, who tops the African 2026 rankings with a season-best 21.74m, is also absent from the 300m hurdles start list for the Shanghai/Kepao Wanda Diamond League opener scheduled for Saturday.
His omission is a major blow to Nigeria’s bid to reclaim continental supremacy last achieved in 2012.
South Africa’s Aiden Smith now emerges as the favorite in the men’s shot put. Smith, ranked second in Africa this season, boasts a personal best of 20.89m achieved just over a month ago.
Nigeria will still be represented by 17-year-old Emmanuel Audu, who enters with a personal best of 17.85m set in February. Audu faces a monumental challenge, requiring a ‘miracle of gargantuan proportion’ to reach the podium and step into Enekwechi’s shoes.
Nigeria’s woes extend beyond the shot put. The decathlon event, which began Tuesday morning, will proceed without Nigerian representation after the country’s leading decathlete was also omitted from the start list.
There is brighter news in the women’s discus throw, where Nigeria will field two athletes. Obiageri Amaechi, who won bronze in 2022 and silver in 2024, returns seeking gold to complete her medal progression.
She is joined by Divine Oladipupo, making her debut for Nigeria after her transfer of allegiance was approved by World Athletics in August 2025.
Nigeria’s campaign in Accra begins with mixed fortunes: disappointment in the men’s field events but renewed hope in the women’s discus, where the nation’s tradition of dominance may yet continue.
