Esther Kolawole Wins Gold in Spain, Enekwechi Breaks African Shot Put Record
Madrid, Spain & Eugene, USA | July 6, 2025 – IDNN Athletics Desk
It was a golden weekend for Nigerian athletics as two standout stars delivered historic performances on different continents.
In Madrid, Esther Kolawole claimed gold in the 62kg category at the Grand Prix of Spain, defeating USA’s Haylie Jaffe via technical superiority (10-0). Kolawole had earlier dispatched Spain’s Lydia Perez Tourino (10-0) and edged Poland’s Alicja Nowosad (4-1) in the semifinal.
“Her victory is a statement of her belief, potential, and preparation for global championships,” said NWF President Daniel Igali.
“She’s on track for greatness.”
The Spanish win sets Kolawole up for the Budapest Ranking Series (July 14–19) and ultimately the 2025 World Wrestling Championship in Croatia.
Enekwechi Throws Nigeria into History Books
Meanwhile, in Eugene, Oregon, Nigerian shot put star Chukwuebuka Enekwechi became the first African athlete to breach the 22-metre mark, recording a monumental 22.10m throw at the Diamond League.
The throw shattered his previous personal best of 21.91m and eclipsed the long-standing African record.
“We’ve been building to this moment. This is just the beginning,” Enekwechi told reporters after the meet.
He placed third behind Joe Kovacs (22.48m) and Roger Steen, who narrowly edged Enekwechi with 22.11m. Enekwechi’s final attempt reached 21.68m, but the third-round 22.10m mark secured his place in history.
Nigerian Athletics Gaining Global Momentum
Kolawole and Enekwechi’s achievements come just months before Nigeria’s athletes head to Paris for the 2025 World Championships and Olympic qualification events.
Igali believes these results validate Nigeria’s investment in specialized coaching and international exposure.
“We’re not just showing up anymore—we’re winning,” he said.
“Kolawole and Enekwechi represent the next phase of Nigerian athletics.”
IDNN VERDICT:
From Madrid’s mat to Oregon’s circle, Nigerian athletes are rewriting the script. Kolawole’s gold and Enekwechi’s historic throw prove that Africa’s fire is rising on the global stage.
📡 Follow IDNN Athletics for exclusive videos, performance breakdowns, and Nigeria’s Road to Paris 2025.
