By KINGSLEY EMMANUEL
Glasgow – Nigeria recorded another encouraging day at the Commonwealth Games athletics competition on Wednesday, with Jennifer Obi Chukwuka, Olayinka Olajide and Udodi Onwuzurike all advancing to the 200m semi-finals, while Chukwuebuka Enekwechi secured his place in the men’s shot put final.
Chukwuka delivered one of Nigeria’s standout performances of the day, storming to victory in Heat 4 of the women’s 200m in a personal best time of 23.26 seconds to qualify automatically for the semi-finals.
Canada’s Marie-Eloise Leclair crossed the line second in 23.50 seconds, while The Gambia’s Nyimansata Jawneh finished third in 23.74 seconds to also progress.
Olajide joined her compatriot in the next round after placing third in Heat 5 with a time of 23.62 seconds. Jamaica’s Lavanya Williams won the race in 22.91 seconds, ahead of Singapore’s Veronica Shanti Pereira, who finished second in a season’s best 23.00 seconds.
In the men’s 200m, Onwuzurike also booked his place in the semi-finals after an impressive run of 20.31 seconds, adding to Nigeria’s growing presence in the sprint events.
On the field, Enekwechi qualified for the men’s shot put final, keeping alive Nigeria’s hopes of another medal in the athletics competition.
Elsewhere, Goodness Nwachukwu produced a remarkable display to win gold in the women’s F42 discus event. The Nigerian unleashed a massive throw of 39.66 metres on her final attempt, breaking her own F42 world record by more than three metres to clinch the Commonwealth title in stunning fashion.
Team Nigeria maintained fifth position on the medals table at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after Wednesday’s events, with a total haul of 14 medals comprising seven gold, five silver and two bronze medals.
