Chukwuebuka Enekwechi represented Nigeria at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships, finishing fifth in the shot put with a mark of 21.25m. He was the only athlete present due to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s failure to secure visas for nine others. Visa issues have been a significant problem, affecting Nigeria’s overall participation.
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, the only representative of Nigeria at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, secured fifth place in the shot put event. His impressive throw of 21.25 meters marked his season best and the highest finish of his international career, albeit falling short of a podium placement by mere centimeters. The competition was fierce, with New Zealand’s Tom Walsh achieving victory with a throw of 21.65 meters.
The athletes who claimed the second and third positions were USA’s Roger Steen and Adrian Piperi, who recorded throws of 21.62 meters and 21.48 meters, respectively. Enekwechi’s participation highlighted a challenging situation for Nigerian athletics, as he was the sole athlete present due to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s (AFN) failure to secure necessary visas and tickets for nine other registered athletes.
Originally, ten Nigerian athletes were listed to compete, but visa complications significantly impacted the country’s representation at this major international event. This situation was compounded by the call-out from African Games gold medallist Chidi Okezie, who expressed frustration over being placed only in the 4x400m relay rather than the 400m, a decision he discovered unexpectedly at the airport. Prior to these unfortunate events, the AFN had considered withdrawing from the championship altogether due to scheduling conflicts with several Nigerian athletes involved in NCAA competitions.
The participation of Nigeria at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships was marked by significant challenges, resulting in Chukwuebuka Enekwechi being the sole representative. His fifth-place finish in the shot put showcased his potential, yet visa issues drastically limited the country’s presence. The incident sheds light on the operational difficulties faced by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, affecting not only Enekwechi but also other registered athletes who could not participate due to administrative failures.
Original Source: punchng.com
