Tokyo Olympics: Nigeria’s Enekwechi qualifies for men’s shot put final

Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi has advanced to the final of the men’s shot put final at the ongoing Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

He ranked seventh after launching his implement to a mark of 21.16m on the Men’s Shot Put Qualification table.

The Nigerian secured a non-automatic qualifying spot for the final after clinching forth position in Group B.

He was ranked below Egypt’s Mostafa Amr, who had a throw of 21:23m.

Others who qualified for final are USA’s Crouser Ryan with 22.05metres mark, New Zealand’s Walsh Tomas – 21.49m, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Mesud Pezer – 21.33m, Brazil’s Romani Darlan – 21.31m (SB), and Italy’s Weir Zane – 21.25m (PB).

Others who advanced to final with a non-automatic qualifying spot are Armin Sinancevic of Serbia, Kovac Joe and Peyton Otterdahl of the United States, Kyle Blingnaut of South Africa, and New Zealand’s Gill Jacko.

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

He is also the 2019 African Games champion and the reigning Nigerian National Sports Festival champion.

Currently a volunteer assistant coach with the Boilermakers, Enekwechi is a 12-time All-American, five-time NCAA medalist and four-time Big Ten champion at Purdue.

Meanwhile, Team Nigeria’s Patience George dropped out of reckoning in the women’s 400 metres event of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics losing in the round one heats on Tuesday.

George, who ran in heat 1 of the event at the Olympic Stadium, placed last with a time of 52.41 seconds.

The 29-year-old Rio 2016 Games semi-finalist, with 52.52, could just not give it as she stayed behind the pack and unable to mount a challenge.

She would now probably be considering giving up on an individual medal in the event, having not been able to run below 51 seconds in the event in the last five years.

Her best in recent times has been the 50.76 she did in Beijing in 2015.

George should now be looking forward to competing successfully in the women’s 4 x 100m relay and 4 x 400m relay.