The world of athletics is often dominated by the likes of sprinters and long-distance runners. However, the recent feat achieved by Nigerian discus thrower, Chioma Chukwujindu “CiCi” Onyekwere has shone a bright light on the world of field events, which is often overlooked.
A native of Lansing, Michigan, Onyekwere is an American-born Nigerian track and field athlete specialising in and representing Nigeria in the discus throw. She has donned the green-white-green in international competitions and holds the Nigerian National Record for the Discus Throw.
On the weekend of the Oklahoma Throws Series in Ramona, the 28-year-old delivered a stunning performance in the women’s discus event, achieving a massive personal best (PB) of 64.96m. This feat not only secured her victory in the event but also broke the 16-year-old African record set by South Africa’s Elizna Naudé.
Naudé, a retired athlete who set the South African national record in the women’s discus throw, achieved that feat in March 2007 in Stellenbosch, with a throw measuring 64.87 metres. She competed in two Olympic Games, in the women’s discus throw event at the 2004 Athens, Greece Olympics and in the same event at the 2008 Beijing, China Games but was not able to finish on the podium in either events. However, such was her dominance that at the 2003, 2007 All-African Games, the 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 African Championships and the 2006 Commonwealth Games, there was no athlete able to wrest the gold medal in the discus throw event from the iron grip of Naudé.
Naudé’s achievements in athletics included a third-place finish in the African Championships of 2002 and second-place podiums at the All-African Games of 2011 and the African Championships of 2012. All of these made her one of South Africa’s most successful female athletes in history and her South African national record in the women’s discus throw was still standing until the weekend of the Oklahoma Throws Series in Ramona, when Onyekwere took over.
Onyekwere’s trajectory this season has been consistently upward, as her opening throw two weeks ago measured 55.88m, and her subsequent improvement to 60.79m last weekend quickly followed. Her new PB surpasses her previous mark of 63.30m by more than a metre and a half.
Aside from her record-breaking achievement, Onyekwere also met and surpassed the World Championship qualification standard with her latest feat, even though she already has a wildcard to the competition taking place in Budapest with her status as an African champion. She became the first Nigerian field athlete (male or female) to attain World Championships standard in the 2023 outdoor season. It is noteworthy that Onyekwere has enjoyed the best of outings in 2022, where she won gold at the African Championships in Mauritius and at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, becoming the first Nigerian woman in history to do so.
Yet, Onyekwere is not new to achieving milestones in her career. In the mould of Naudé, whom she surpassed in the discus throw record, Onyekwere has won three African titles over her career, two consecutive gold medals at the African Championships (2018 and 2022), and a gold medal at the 2019 African Games. She began from school as she was recognised for her academic achievement as a student athlete at the University of Maryland for four years by the Big Ten and the ACC while serving as one of the team’s captains. She also reset the Discus record at the Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Championships with a throw of 54.43m. Her collegiate honours include All-American recognition, All-Big Ten honours, All-Academic Big Ten, 5 Big Ten Conference Medals, and Solomon Eye Terp of the Week recipient.
Onyekwere is now in the league of Nigerian stars like Vivian Chukwuemeka, who won the gold medal in the shot put at the 2002 Commonwealth Games and has won three consecutive titles at the All-Africa Games from 1999 to 2007, Ese Brume, who is currently the commonwealth games record, African junior record and African record in the event, a two-time medalist at the world athletics championship, an Olympic bronze medalist and also a five-time African junior champion in athletics, and Annette Nneka Echikunwoke, who holds the African area record in hammer throw, with a throw of 75.49 m in Tucson in 2021 but who has changed allegiance to the USA, to reign supreme in field events in Africa. Onyekwere’s recent record-breaking feat at the Oklahoma Throws Series in Ramona has further cemented her status as one of Nigeria’s most decorated field athletes.
It is not just Onyekwere’s achievement that should be celebrated, but also the fact that she achieved it against all odds. Her triumph in Oklahoma is not just a personal achievement but a testament to her determination and perseverance. Despite her impressive achievements, Onyekwere’s success has not come easy. She had to juggle her studies as an engineer with her training and competitions, often sacrificing sleep and social activities to focus on her goals. In the midst of the gruelling training to excel at her events, she also had to make out some time to focus on her academics and graduated from the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland in Winter 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. She is currently an engineer even as she continues to defy odds and break records. Her dedication and hard work have paid off, and she has become an inspiration to many young athletes in Nigeria.
However, Onyekwere’s success story is not unique in Nigerian sports. Many Nigerian athletes have demonstrated exceptional talent and potential, but have been hindered by a lack of support and facilities to train and compete at an international level. Nigeria, a country of over 200 million people, has a rich history in sports, particularly in athletics, and has produced world-class athletes such as Chioma Ajunwa, Blessing Okagbare, Mary Onyali, Ese Brume and Oluwatobiloba Amusan. Despite these, Nigeria has struggled to maintain its dominance in the international sports scene due to various challenges, including a lack of adequate facilities, poor funding, and corruption in the management of sports in the country. This has resulted in a brain drain of talented athletes who seek better opportunities abroad.
The success of Onyekwere and other Nigerian athletes should serve as a wake-up call to the government and sports authorities to invest more in sports development and identity the best hands to administer sports governance. With the best hands, the right support and state-of-the-art facilities, Nigeria can produce more world-class athletes who can compete at the highest level and bring glory to the nation. Onyekwere’s trajectory is evidence that it is crucial to provide young athletes with access to quality training facilities and equipment, as well as scholarships and incentives to encourage them to pursue their dreams. Sports academies and training camps should also be established across the country to provide a platform for young athletes to hone their skills and showcase their talents.
Furthermore, there should be transparency and accountability in the management of sports funds to prevent embezzlement and ensure that funds are used for their intended purposes. This will go a long way in encouraging private sector investment in sports and attracting international support and sponsorship. Given the poor state of support in the country, it is doubtful if Onyekwere’s incredible record-breaking feat in the discus throw could have ever come to pass if she was in the country and depended on the available facilities, training and scholarship in Nigeria. Yet, her record is a testament to the potential of Nigerian athletes. However, to harness this potential and achieve more exploits, the Nigerian government and sports authorities must invest more in sports development and provide the necessary support and facilities for athletes to excel. With the right investment and support, Nigeria can once again become a powerhouse in international sports and produce more world-class athletes like Onyekwere and Amusan, Nigeria’s only World Record holder.
There is no doubt that the 2023 athletics season is already looking good on the horizon, with some breathtaking performances from some of the Nigerian superstars. With more support and facilities to train and excel, Nigerian athletes can accomplish even greater feats on the global stage. From football to athletics, boxing to Mixed Martial Arts, Nigerian athletes have proven themselves to be among the best in the world. when Nigerian athletes are given the support and facilities they need to excel.
In conclusion, Onyekwere’s record-breaking feat is a significant milestone in Nigerian athletics, and it serves as a source of inspiration for young Nigerian athletes. It is a reminder that with the right support and facilities, Nigerian athletes can achieve great things on the global stage. Nigerian sports authorities should take note and invest more in sports facilities, equipment, and athlete development programs to help unleash the full potential of Nigerian athletes.
Indeed, Team Nigeria made history by producing two medalists in the Discus Throw event for the first time, with reigning Nigerian champion, Obiageri Amaechi, winning the bronze medal with her 56.99m fifth round effort. Onyekwere has now become the second Nigerian after Adewale Olukoju to win the discus throw title for Nigeria in the history of the championships. Olukoju threw 62.62m to win in Aukcland in 1990. All these point to the same goal – if the country can invest in Nigerian athletes and provide them with similar conditions enjoyed by elite athletes in other countries, Nigeria will be a force to contend with in not just the track events but including field events like discus, shot put and the rest.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
