Nigeria’s shot put champion, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi has described his African record-breaking 22.10m throw at the 2025 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene as the highlight of his season.
In an interview with Making of Champions, the 32-year-old called his long-awaited 22-metre mark a moment that defined his persistence and belief after years of hard work.
The record-breaking throw made him the first African ever to break the 22-metre barrier in men’s shot put.
Read also: Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi Smashes African Shot Put Record with 22.10m Throw
“It Almost Got Annoying” – Chukwuebuka Enekwechi on Pressure to Break 22m
“The 22m throw because I know that people were requesting that 22m throw for a long time and it almost got annoying,” Enekwechi said with a laugh.
“It’s so difficult. It’s something that’s the tip-top of my capability as of now. I got to the point where I doubted if it was possible.”
Enekwechi explained that the breakthrough came after an intense phase of preparation ahead of the Prefontaine Classic, one of the world’s most competitive one-day meets.
“I had some amazing training and when I went to that Prefontaine Classic and I threw it, I knew it was 22m.”
“I think only when I started talking about it did I kind of break down, and it really set in that I accomplished something I didn’t think was possible.”
“I Bring the Fire, I Bring the Fight” – Chukwuebuka Enekwechi
The Nigerian star admitted the moment was deeply emotional after years of chasing the record that once seemed out of reach.
“So one thing about me, I bring the fire, I bring the fight, but there are some emotions that come with it. So, I’m glad people can share those moments with me,” he said.
Enekwechi’s 22.10m throw, achieved at Hayward Field, was not only a continental record but also earned him third place in a meet that featured five athletes surpassing 22m for the first time in history.
The feat placed him as Africa’s best Shot-Put thrower and places among the world’s elite as he now holds seven of Africa’s top ten all-time performances.
Strong Finish to a Memorable Season
Enekwechi’s 2025 campaign did not end with the Prefontaine Classic. At the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, he produced another strong display, finishing fifth in the men’s shot put final with a best throw of 21.52m.
That performance is his third consecutive appearance in a global final, as he had earlier qualified for the final with a 20.83m throw.
The Nigerian powerhouse, who has long been a symbol of Nigeria’s strength in the throws, said the 2025 season renewed his motivation and self-belief.
“I know that people were requesting that 22-meter throw for a long time. It almost got annoying and it got annoying because it’s so difficult.”
“It’s something that’s the tip-top of my capability. As of now, I’m going to come back better next year,” he said.
