Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi narrowly missed out on a podium finish at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, placing 5th in the men’s Shot Put final with a best effort of 21.52m.

The national record-holder had booked his spot in the final with a 20.83m throw during qualification, advancing to his third consecutive global final. On the big stage, he opened with 20.90m, fouled his second attempt, and followed up with 20.59m before finding his best mark of the night at 21.52m.

The gold medal went to Olympic champion Ryan Crouser of the USA, who threw a season’s best of 22.34m. Mexico’s Uziel Muñoz won silver with a national record of 21.97m, while Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri clinched bronze at 21.94m. New Zealand’s Tom Walsh also threw 21.94m but lost out on countback, finishing fourth just ahead of Enekwechi.

Elsewhere, Nigeria’s women began their campaign in the Discus Throw. Obiageri Amaechi, competing in Group A, managed a best throw of 55.69m and got 48.82m on her second attempt finishing 16th in her group and 33rd overall short of the qualifying mark in her second World Championships outing.

In Group B, Chioma Onyekwere-Lyons started brightly with 59.45m but fouled her next two attempts, eventually placing 12th in her group and 20th overall, also missing out on the final.