Chukwuebuka Enekwechi finished fifth in shot put at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships. He threw a season’s best of 21.25m but missed the podium. Nigeria faced significant representation issues due to visa problems affecting nine athletes. Chidi Okezie raised concerns about registration errors.
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi represented Nigeria at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, finishing fifth in the shot put event. He achieved a season’s best throw of 21.25 meters, marking his best placement ever in an international competition, although he fell short of a podium finish. New Zealand’s Tom Walsh claimed the title with a throw of 21.65 meters, followed by American athletes Roger Steen and Adrian Piperi with marks of 21.62 meters and 21.48 meters, respectively.
Enekwechi was Nigeria’s sole competitor due to visa issues that prevented nine other athletes from participating. The Athletics Federation of Nigeria faced challenges in arranging timely visas and tickets for these athletes, which worsened the situation since 10 athletes were initially registered for the championship. According to reports, the AFN was actively trying to resolve these issues prior to the event.
Compounding the situation, Chidi Okezie, an African Games gold medallist in the 400m, expressed frustration over being registered only for the 4x400m relays rather than the 400m individual event. Okezie discovered this issue just before his departure, highlighting the lack of communication and coordination from the AFN. Additionally, the federation initially hesitated to send a team to the championships due to the busy schedules of athletes in the NCAA.
In summary, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi’s fifth-place finish at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships signifies a personal achievement, despite Nigeria’s limited representation due to visa complications. The Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s inability to secure travel arrangements for other team members reflects ongoing administrative challenges within the organization. Athletes like Chidi Okezie also voiced concerns over registration mismanagement, further illustrating the need for improved coordination among Nigeria’s athletic representatives.
Original Source: punchng.com
