Chioma Onyekwere and Obiageri Amaechi made history tonight by winning Nigeria’s first-ever medals in women’s discus throw in the Commonwealth Games.
The two finished first and third in the event under the bright lights at the Alexander Stadium, with England’s Jade Lally taking the spot between the Nigerians.
Onyekwere clinched gold with a big season’s best throw of 61.70m, clearly ahead of home girl Lally, whose best throw was 58.42m.
The new Commonwealth Games champion had been in third place until her fourth attempt, which blew the field away. Interestingly, her sixth and final attempt of 59.98m was also the second best overall.
Amaechi launched herself into medal range with her 56.99m throw, which won her bronze just ahead of Australia’s Taryn Gollshewsky, who had been in third place with her 56.85 fourth attempt.
Moments after the excitement of the historic achievements, however, Team Nigeria faced some disappointment.
Team Nigeria’s Suwaibidu Galadima was disqualified for a false start in the men’s para-athletics T45-47 100m final due to an unfortunate false start.
Incidentally, two athletes with Nigerian blood representing England won gold and bronze in the event.
Emmanuel Eyitayo Oyinbo-Coker, the 20-year-old born in Nigeria, won gold in a new Games record and personal best time of 10.94s, while 28-year-old Ola Abidogun clinched bronze in 11.13s.
Also today, Team Nigeria added another medal to their weightlifting collection with Mary Taiwo Osijo’s bronze in women’s 87kg.
