CWG 2026: Enekwechi Wins Nigeria’s First-Ever Men’s Shot Put Gold

Chukwuebuka Enekwechi has made history by becoming the first Nigerian athlete to win a gold medal in the men’s shot put event at the Commonwealth Games.

The 33-year-old achieved the milestone with a throw of 21.07 metres during the final at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland, on Thursday.

His winning effort came on his penultimate attempt, overtaking New Zealand’s Tom Walsh, who had led the competition from the opening round with a throw of 21.03 metres.

Walsh, the defending Commonwealth Games champion, was unable to improve on his mark in his remaining attempts, handing Enekwechi a memorable victory.

England’s Scott Lincoln claimed the bronze medal after recording a best throw of 20.99 metres.

The victory marked a remarkable turnaround for Enekwechi, who won silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast before narrowly missing the podium with a fourth-place finish at Birmingham 2022.

His latest triumph also adds another major achievement to an already distinguished athletics career.

Enekwechi has been one of Nigeria’s most consistent field athletes over the past decade and currently holds the African record in the men’s shot put.

He has also won five continental titles, establishing himself as one of Africa’s most successful throwers.

His victory in Glasgow ended Nigeria’s long wait for a Commonwealth Games gold medal in the event and reinforced his status as one of the country’s leading athletics stars.

The gold medal further boosted Team Nigeria’s performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, increasing the nation’s medal tally to 15 at the time of the event.

Nigeria’s athletes have now secured eight gold, five silver and two bronze medals across different sports, strengthening the country’s position on the medals table.

Enekwechi’s success also provided momentum for Team Nigeria ahead of other athletics finals, including the women’s 100-metre hurdles, where world record holder Tobi Amusan was seeking another Commonwealth title.

Speaking after his victory, Enekwechi celebrated the achievement as a significant moment for Nigerian athletics, having finally secured the title that had previously eluded him.

His performance not only delivered personal redemption after Birmingham 2022 but also wrote a new chapter in Nigeria’s Commonwealth Games history by claiming the nation’s first-ever men’s shot put gold medal.