Eugene, Oregon — Nigerian shot putter Chukwuebuka Enekwechi delivered a monumental performance on Saturday at the 2025 Prefontaine Classic, becoming the first African in history to surpass the 22-metre barrier with a record-breaking throw of 22.10 metres, earning him a third-place finish in one of the most competitive shot put events ever witnessed.
The 32-year-old not only set a new African record, he also now holds seven of the top ten all-time African marks, reaffirming his place as the continent’s most dominant shot putter. His effort earned a results score of 1246, the highest of his career.
The meet, held at Hayward Field as the ninth leg of the Diamond League series, was historic beyond individual feats. For the first time in the sport’s history, five men exceeded 22 metres in the same competition.
Leading the pack was American two-time world champion Joe Kovacs, who claimed victory with a world-leading 22.48m. Fellow American Roger Steen edged Enekwechi with a personal best of 22.11m to finish second. Close behind were Adrian Piperi with a personal best of 22.09m in fourth, and Jamaica’s Rajindra Campbell, who landed a season’s best of 22.04m in fifth.
The exceptional field and results contributed to the Prefontaine Classic’s record competition score of 98,121 points, officially making it the highest-ranked single-day Invitational/Open track and field meet in history.
Only the 2023 edition of the Prefontaine Classic, which served as the two-day Diamond League Final, recorded a higher meet score of 99,156. Enekwechi’s groundbreaking achievement brought additional attention to Nigeria’s growing presence in global athletics.
Compatriot and world record-holder Tobi Amusan also impressed at the meet, finishing second in the women’s 100m hurdles in 12.38 seconds, just behind Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent, who won in 12.32s. American Kendra Harrison came in third with 12.50s.
Speaking after his historic throw, Enekwechi expressed pride in his achievement and his motivation to continue pushing boundaries. “Breaking 22 metres has been a lifelong dream. To do it here, in a field this competitive, is something I’ll never forget,” he said.
With Paris 2025 World Championships around the corner, Enekwechi’s form signals strong prospects for Nigeria in field events. His performance also provides inspiration for a new generation of African throwers aiming to make their mark on the global stage.
