By Victor Kanayo
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi has won the first gold medal for Nigeria at the ongoing 23rd African Athletics Championships in Douala, pounding out a Championship Record of 21.20m to win.
The Nigerian champion completes a hat-trick of African Championship titles, having won in Asaba and Morocco.
Eneckwechi is now tied for the most gold medals by a male Shot Putter in the history of the Championship.
In the other events concluded on Day One of the championships, Favour Ofili of Nigeria clocked a time of 11.22s to win her 100m heat and advance to the semis.
Another Nigerian athlete Olayinka Olajide clocked 11.67s to win the 100m heat and also progress to the semi-final while the newly crowned Nigerian 100m Champion, Kanyinsola Ajayi clocked a time of 10.21secs to win the 100m heat.
The African Athletics Championships is a continental athletics event organi6zed by the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), the continental association for the sport in Africa.
Meanwhile, World record holder Tobi Amusan’s bid for a third consecutive African title ended abruptly as she failed to appear for the women’s 100m hurdles heats at the competition.
Amusan, was aiming for her third straight gold medal following victories in Asaba (2018) and Mauritius (2022).
However, reports indicate that illness prevented her from competing.
