Gold medal winner in Discus Throw event at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Chioma Onyekwere, says she hopes for more final appearances and podium finish for Nigeria in future competitions.
Onyekwere made history as the first Nigerian woman to win the Commonwealth Games gold in the Discus Throw event.
The 28-year-old threw 61.70m in her fourth attempt to take the lead from England’s Jade Lally who led from the start of the competition with her opening throw of 57.33m.
The Nigerian who opened with 55.82m knew she needed more than the 58.19m she threw to win the African Championships gold last June in Mauritius.
She responded without success in the second round with a 56.42m effort, fouled the third attempt before swinging the discus to a personal season’s best mark of 61.70m, her second best career mark after the 63.30m personal best she threw last year at the CVEATC, Chula Vista in California, USA.
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And speaking after her historic feat Onyekwere, in a short video interview said, :I was ecstatic when I won. I knew in the fourth throw, when I threw the 61.70 that won it for Nigeria. So I was super happy to get to that level and win my very first Commonwealth medal and it being a gold is extremely exciting.
“It wasn’t till well after that final that I made history as the first woman to win women’s discus and also my teammate Obi (Obiageri Amaechi) was able to clutch a third place, so we were able to secure two medals and I was so happy and proud of us, we were able to come out here to execute and accomplish for Nigeria.
“Going to future championships I am hoping to make more podiums, make more finals. 2019 I was one spot of making the final. This year in Eugene I was unfortunately not the healthiest I could be coming into competition.
“I’m hoping to make the final and being able to make some kind of podium like the All Africa Games, I will definitely be turning up and making the podium and keeping my spot as number one in Africa,” Onyekwere stated.
