African Athletics Championship – Champion Enekwechi withdraws from competition

Editor

Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi will not defend his men’s shot put title at the 2026 CAA African Championships in Accra after withdrawing from Nigeria’s contingent. The competition is billed to start on Tuesday, May 12.

The absence of the three-time African champion was confirmed on Monday, barely 24 hours before the championship begins at the University of Ghana Sports Complex, where Africa’s biggest athletics event will run from 12 to 17 May.

Enekwechi’s withdrawal represents a significant setback for Team Nigeria, particularly in the field events, where the country was already facing major absences.

Nigeria will now head into the shot-put events with a much leaner squad following the earlier absence of women’s African shot put record holder Jessica Oji.

There is also another blow for the Nigerian contingent, with national decathlon record holder Jami Schlueter unable to travel to Ghana due to visa complications.

The latest developments were first revealed by Making of Champions journalist Christopher Maduewesi on X.

“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.

Maduewesi, who is in Accra, 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.”

Enoch Adegoke had earlier missed the World Relays in Botswana after suffering an injury setback.

Enekwechi has won the last three editions of the African Championships since making his debut at the 2018 championships in Asaba, firmly establishing himself as the continent’s leading thrower.

His season’s best throw currently stands at 21.74m, a mark that earned him second place at the prestigious Drake Relays on 24 April. His reason for withdrawing is not yet public