Have a look at the bio, age and height of Annette Nneka Echikunwoke
Learn more about Annette Nneka Echikunwoke, as she is grabbing headlines after she created history and became the first American woman to bagged a medal in the hammer throw.
For the unversed, Annette Nneka Echikunwoke bagged the silver medal in the hammer throw while Canada’s Camryn Rogers took the gold on Tuesday night at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Who is American hammer thrower Annette Nneka Echikunwoke, bio, age, height, nationality, origin ranking and Instagram
Echikunwoke led after the third round on Tuesday with a throw of 75.48 meters that is approximately, 247 feet, 7 inches.
However, Rogers threw 76.97 meters that is around 252 feet, 6 inches, on her second-to-last attempt to secure the gold. The bronze went to Zhao Jie of China.
So, let’s find out more about the first American woman who secured title for the U.S. despite previously representing Nigeria in the Tokyo Olympics.
The FIRST American woman to medal in Olympic hammer throw! 🥈
Annette Nneka Echikunwoke has made history. #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/WOkGwRijKa
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 6, 2024
About Annette Nneka Echikunwoke
Born on July 29, 1996, Annette Nneka Echikunwoke is a Nigerian-American hammer thrower, who was born in Ohio.
Born: 29 July 1996 (age 28 years)
Height: 1.82 m
Echikunwoke started in athletic throwing events at school after winning the shot put and discus throw at a sports day event, deciding to continue since she was good at it. Her cousin is actress Megalyn Echikunwoke.
Growing up in Pickerington North in Ohio, Annette Nneka Echikunwoke attended the University of Cincinnati for both her undergraduate and master’s degrees, where she was on the track and field team.
With Cincinnati, she won the weight throw event at the 2017 NCAA Championship, becoming the university’s first NCAA champion in track and field.
She is ranked 7 in the world in women’s hammer throw and was previously ranked 101 in women’s shot put with a personal best of 16.79 meters in 2017. She also competes in discus and the 20lb weight throw.
In 2020, she chose to represent her parents’ home country of Nigeria in the Olympics national selection.
Tokyo Olympics Disqualification Controversy
For the curious, previously, Annette Nneka Echikunwoke, arrived at the Tokyo Games to represent Nigeria but she had to leave the nation without even participating in the game.
Annette Nneka Echikunwoke was among 10 candidates who were disqualified, due to the negligence of the Nigerian Federation in setting up the drug tests.
The 28-year-old athlete, initially decided to represent Nigeria because that’s where her parents are from. However, after the controversy, she switched her Olympic allegiance to the U.S., as she was born in Ohio, and now representing U.S. in Paris Olympics 2024, the athlete bagged a silver medal.
ALSO READ: Who is Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu, bio, age, height, coach, medals list and Instagram