Nigeria recorded another encouraging outing in the athletics competition at the 2026 Commonwealth Games on Wednesday as Chukwuebuka Enekwechi qualified for the men’s shot put final, while Olayinka Olajide and Jennifer Obi Chukwuka advanced to the women’s 200m semi-finals.
According to The Punch, Enekwechi produced a composed display in the men’s shot put qualifying round, topping Group B with a throw of 20.03m to secure automatic qualification for the final.
The 33-year-old needed just one throw to book his spot.
A silver medallist in 2018, Enekwechi finished ahead of India’s Samardeep Singh Gill (19.95m), New Zealand’s Nick Palmer (19.92m), South Africa’s Aiden Smith (19.86m) and Mauritius’ Bernard Baptiste (15.00m).
On the track, Olajide booked her place in the women’s 200m semi-finals after finishing third in Heat 5 in 23.62 seconds. Jamaica’s Lavanya Williams won the race in 22.91 seconds, while Singapore’s Veronica Shanti Pereira finished second in a season’s best of 23.00.
Jennifer Obi Chukwuka also progressed after producing a personal best of 23.26 seconds to win Heat 4. Canada’s Marie-Eloise Leclair placed second in 23.50, while The Gambia’s Nyimansata Jawneh claimed the third automatic qualifying spot in 23.74.
The two sprinters ensured Nigeria will have double representation in the women’s 200m semi-finals as they continue their medal chase in Glasgow.
In the men’s 200m, Udodi Onwuzurike also advanced to the semi-finals after clocking 20.31 seconds to secure automatic qualification from his heat, further boosting Nigeria’s sprint prospects.
Israel Okon had qualified directly into the 200m semis but the 19-year-old withdrew due to injury.
Enekwechi will hope to upgrade his 2018 silver when he files out in the final on Thursday (today), while Olajide, Chukwuka and Onwuzurike seek places in their respective finals.
