African Games: Nnamdi Chinecherem's National Record-breaking throw seals GOLD medal for Nigeria in 29 years

Nnamdi Chinecherem

African Games: Nnamdi Chinecherem's National Record-breaking throw seals GOLD medal for Nigeria in 29 years

Funmilayo Fameso 02:53 - 23.03.2024

On his first attempt, Nnamdi Chinecherem made Nigerian history in the men's javelin throw at the African Games.

Nnamdi Chinecherem produced his best career performance in Ghana, with a massive Personal Best (PB) of 82.80m to become Nigeria's first African Games men's javelin throw Gold medallist in 29 years.

Chinecherem made the record-breaking throw on his first attempt, enough to win the title and improve his previous National Record of 81.22m set in 2022.

Nnamdi Chinecherem broke his National Record to win Nigeria's first African Games gold medal in 29 years

By doing this, the 21-year-old engraved his name in the history books as the first Nigerian man since Pius Bazighe struck gold in 1995 and the fourth winner for the country after Anthony Oyakhire (1965) and Christian Okwfula (1991).

His mark was so good that none of the other throwers could match the 82m distance, as African Record holder Kenya's Julius Yego settled for the silver medal with 81.74m, and Egypt's Abdel Khaliq Moustafa won bronze with 78.10m.

Nnamdi Chinecherem

The Baylor University student-athlete, who flew down for the African Games with his coach, is now the first Nigerian thrower in history to go above the 82m mark.

He will be gunning to have more record-breaking performances as the season progresses, especially hitting the Paris Olympics qualifying standard of 85.50m.

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