Enekwechi, Onwuzurike raise Nigeria’s Commonwealth Games hopes with Budapest podium finishes

Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and Udodi Onwuzurike delivered encouraging performances ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, both securing third-place finishes at the Gyulai István Memorial Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix in Budapest.

African shot put record holder Enekwechi claimed third place with a best throw of 21.48 metres. Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri won the event with 22.04 metres, while Jamaica’s Rajindra Campbell finished second with 21.52 metres.

In the men’s 200 metres, Onwuzurike matched his season’s best of 20.18 seconds to also finish third. Morocco’s Yassine Hssine won the race in a national record time of 19.92 seconds, with Zimbabwe’s Makanakaishe Charamba taking second in 20.09 seconds.

The performances offer a timely boost for Team Nigeria as preparations continue for the Commonwealth Games. Elsewhere at the meet, Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme won the men’s 100 metres in 9.99 seconds, ahead of Ghana’s Abdul-Rasheed Saminu (10.01s) and Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake (10.04s).

Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga also impressed, clocking a season’s best 44.02 seconds to win the men’s 400 metres, underlining the strong form of African athletes ahead of the Glasgow Games.