By Amaechi Agbo
As preparations intensify for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Nigerian stars Udodi Onwuzurike and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi delivered encouraging performances at the prestigious Gyulai István Memorial – Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix in Budapest, boosting confidence ahead of the Games.
In the men’s 200 metres, Udodi Onwuzurike continued his impressive season by finishing third in 20.18 seconds, equalling his season’s best. The Nigerian sprint star secured a podium finish behind Zimbabwe’s Makanakaishe Charamba, who clocked 20.09 seconds, while Morocco’s Yassine Hssine claimed victory in a national record time of 19.92 seconds.
Onwuzurike’s consistent form will be a major source of optimism for Team Nigeria as the Glasgow Commonwealth Games draw closer.
Nigeria also celebrated success in the field events through African record holder Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, who finished third in the men’s shot put with a best throw of 21.48 metres. Italy’s Leonardo Fabbri won the event with 22.04m, while Jamaica’s Rajindra Campbell took second place with 21.52m.
Elsewhere at the meeting, Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme stole the headlines by winning the men’s 100m in 9.99 seconds, becoming the only athlete to break the 10-second barrier. Ghana’s Abdul-Rasheed Saminu followed closely in 10.01 seconds, with Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake third in 10.04 seconds.
Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga also sent a strong warning to his Commonwealth rivals after cruising to victory in the men’s 400m with a season’s best of 44.02 seconds.
With athletes across Africa producing outstanding performances in Budapest, the race for medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games promises to be highly competitive.
For Nigeria, the podium finishes by Udodi Onwuzurike and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi are timely confidence boosters as Team Nigeria continues its final preparations for Glasgow.
