Dylan Bettencourt
Chioma Onyekwere has become the first Nigerian to win a gold medal for discus.
The 28-year-old walked away with the gold medal despite this being her first time competing at the Games.
The African Games and African Athletics champion threw a season best of 61.70m in her fourth attempt to take the gold medal off Britain’s Jade Lally.
Onyekwere spends her days as an engineer in the United States and in her spare time makes history at major events.
She is only the second African woman to win the gold medal in the event following South Africa’s Elizna Naude winning first prize in 2006.
Making the achievement even better, Nigerian athlete Obiageri Amaechi claimed bronze with a distance of 56.99m.
Onyekwere said after the event that it is time Africa showcase their talent on the world stage.
“It’s our first Commonwealth. So it’s amazing to come out and both get onto the podium and represent Nigeria so well. We also got season best and close to season best,” she told BBC Sport Africa.
“It’s a great accomplishment. It’s a great testimony to our season.”
Onyekwere’s achievement follows weightlifter Rafiatu Lawal breaking the record in the women’s 59kg with a 206kg snatch and clean jerk.
Nigeria are the second ranked African side in the Commonwealth Games medal behind South Africa.
Nigeria has a total of eight medals, three of them being gold with one silver and four bronze medals.
With the track events picking up speed, Nigerians will be expecting to claim a few more medals before the Games end. Image source: @SportsBrief
