Despite experiencing a turbulent 2020 that almost ended his career, Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi on Tuesday, August 3 qualified for men’s shot put final at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics after throwing a distance of 21.16m.

In the semi final game, he ranked seventh after launching his implement to a mark of 21.16m on the Men’s Shot Put Qualification table, thereby securing a non-automatic qualifying spot for the final after clinching fourth position in Group B.

In an emotional post shared via his Instagram page on Wednesday, August 3, the Nigerian-American athlete spoke about how he almost ended his throwing career in 2020.

During this period, coronavirus pandemic during its first wave led to a total/partial shut down of activities in several countries.

Enekwechi himself was stuck at home due to social distancing rules and other restrictions.

He expressed that it was a mentally and physically draining year, adding that it was “far too much for me to handle”.

The 28-year-old track and field athlete who specialises in throwing events, however, revealed that he was encouraged by ‘some key influential figures’ in his life not to give up but try again one more time, hence his presence at the Tokyo Olympics.

Enekwechi expressed gratitude to those who convinced him to stay consistent despite his challenges.

He will now compete against Mesud Pezerof Bosnia and Hercegovina, Zane Weir of Italy, Kyle Blingnaut of South Africa, Jacko Gill and Tomas Walsh of New Zealand, Darlan Romani of Brazil, Mostafa Hassan of Egypt, Armin Sinancevic of Serbia and Peyton Otterdahl of the United States in the men’s shot put final.

The athlete is the 2018 Commonwealth Games Silver medallist and reigning African champion in shot put.

Enekwechi is also the 2019 African Games champion and the reigning Nigerian National Sports Festival champion. He is a 12-time All-American, five-time NCAA medalist, and four-time Big Ten champion at Purdue.

As African champion he was selected to represent Africa at the Ostrava Continental Cup. In December 2018, he won both the shot put and hammer throw at the 19th National Sports Festival in Abuja. He set a national sports festival record of 20.36 to win the shot put.

Enekwechi began his 2019 outdoor season with a shot put personal best of 21.28 m at the Taylor George Glass Invitational. This mark remained one of the top ten throws in the world until he bettered it at Grande Premio Brasil Caixa de Atletismo World Challenge meet.

He set a new Nigerian National record of 21.77m to win the event. This record bettered the previous record held by Stephen Mozia which was 21.76m.

For Enekwechi’s final game, many Nigerians are full of hope for him, as they expect him to bring home a third medal.

https://mojidelano.com/2021/08/nigerias-shot-put-olympic-finalist-chukwuebuka-enekwechi-pens-inspirational-message-on-how-2020-almost-ended-career/

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