Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi shattered the African men’s shot put record with a massive throw of 22.10 metres to become the first African athlete to breach the elusive 22-metre mark.
This record-breaking event took place on Saturday at the 2025 Prefontaine Classic. The throw, achieved on his second attempt, earned him third place in what many are now calling the most competitive shot put event in athletics history.
The ninth leg of the 2025 Diamond League, held at Hayward Field in Eugene, witnessed an unprecedented five men going over 22m; a feat never before seen in a single competition.
“I Just Wanted to Throw 22 Metres… Wow.” – Chukwuebuka
An emotional Chukwuebuka Enekwechi revealed the physical journey that led to the record-breaking performance.
“I came here last year and threw 21.91 metres. I just wanted to throw 22 metres this time. That’s the new standard.”
“I figured I have a couple of years left in my career, so I wanted to hit that mark. I got it. 22 metres. Wow.”
When asked which attempt produced the historic throw, the 32-year-old confidently replied:
“The second one. I nailed it on my second attempt.”
A Throw That “Just Clicked”
The reigning African champion described the sensation of executing the perfect throw, which consisted of a blend of balance, timing, and form that brought years of hard work full circle.
“That throw, everything came together. My form was in perfect balance. I released it smoothly and didn’t even have to fight to stay inside the ring.”
“It all just clicked. Honestly, it felt great, probably my favourite throw ever.”
Behind the Glory: Diet, Discipline, and Deadlifts
The 32 year-old credited a revamped training regimen for powering him to new heights, revealing the gritty behind-the-scenes effort that led to Africa’s greatest shot put performance.
“I just stuck to the game plan. I’ve made changes recently, like modifying my diet, dropping a bit of weight, and increasing my protein intake.”
“I’ve also been doing some intense lifts, including jump squats with over 500 pounds. I’m just trying to compete with the bigger guys and it worked out.”
Stepping Onto the Global Podium
Despite his record-breaking feat, Chukwuebuka finished third in the event behind;
- two-time world champion Joe Kovacs of the USA, who launched a world-leading 22.48m and
- Roger Steen, who clinched second place with a personal best of 22.11m, just one centimetre ahead of the Nigerian champion.
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi’s final attempt of 21.68m was not enough to reclaim second, but his 22.10m edged out fellow competitors Adrian Piperi (22.09m) and Jamaica’s Rajindra Campbell (22.04m) in a stacked top-five finish.
Dominance Confirmed: Seven of the Top Ten African Throws
Saturday’s feat also confirmed Chukwuebuka’s supremacy on the African continent. He now holds seven of the top 10 throws in African history.
Only South Africa’s Janus Robberts (21.97m, 2001), Nigeria’s Stephen Mozia (21.76m, 2016), and Egypt’s Mostafa Amr Hassan (21.65m, 2023) feature alongside him in that elite company.
Eugene Meet Makes History
The 2025 Prefontaine Classic, now officially the highest-ranked single-day Invitational/Open athletics event in history, posted a meet score of 98,121 points.
“Big Chuks” Delivers for Africa
For Chukwuebuka Enekwechi (affectionately nicknamed “Big Chuks”), having represented Nigeria with pride since 2017, continues to place the country on the global map, inspiring a new generation of African throwers with his consistency, dedication, and world-class results.
