African Shot put champion Enekwechi withdraws from Athletics Championship
Nigeria’s top Shot Put athlete and defending African champion, Chukwuwebuka Enekwechi has withdrawn from Team Nigeria ahead of the upcoming African Athletics Championship.
The 2026 African Senior Athletics Championship is billed to hold between May 12 and 17 at the University of Ghana.
Enekwechi’s withdrawal which represents a significant setback for Team Nigeria was confirmed in a post shared on X by Making of Champions journalist Christopher Maduewusi on Monday.
“Another withdrawal for Nigeria — Chukwuebuka Enekwechi will not be participating at the 2026 African Championships in Ghana. Big Chuks will not be defending the title he won three consecutive times. Emmanuel Audu and Divine Oladipo will represent Nigeria in the shot put events in Accra,” Maduewesi posted on Monday.
Read Also: Team Nigeria win 16 medals at African cycling championships
He also confirmed a late adjustment to Nigeria’s sprint squad.
“Osama Chibueze is a late addition to the Nigerian team – I understand he is a late replacement for Enoch Adegoke, who hasn’t made a full recovery from his injury.”
Enekwechi’s withdrawal means Big Chuks as he is fondly called will not be defending the title he won three consecutive times as Nigeria, with Emmanuel Audu and Divine Oladipo now set to represent Nigeria in the Shot put event in Accra.
His absence also represents a significant setback for Team Nigeria at the 2026 CAA African Championship in Ghana as the 32-year-old Us-based thrower remains one of Nigeria’s most accomplished athletes in field events.
