Annette Echikunwoke

thumb|Annette Echikunwoke in 2024 Annette Nneka Echikunwoke (born July 29, 1996) is a Nigerian and American hammer thrower who lives in Ohio, United States. She was due to represent Nigeria at the 2020 Summer Olympics, but was disqualified due to the negligence of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria. She changed allegiance and represented the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics, winning a silver medal in the event, the first Olympic medal for the U.S. in the women's hammer throw event. She holds the African area record in hammer throw, with a throw of 75.49m in Tucson in 2021. Quotes I can’t even begin to explain how heartbroken I am. It honestly feels like a fever dream. To think of all the hours of throwing sessions, hundreds of hard lifts, all the moments when my body aches in pain and reminding myself ‘it’ll be worth it’, just to keep pushing on, sacrificing time with loved ones… and all I’m left with is this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. This has been the most mentally and emotionally exhausting time of my life. To be clear: The [Athletics] Federation of Nigeria did not go through the processes to set up proper testing for us athletes. They left us in the dark about this whole drug testing issue until the last minute where we were left helpless. We cannot let anything like this happen again to athletes, devastating dreams and crushing opportunities. It feels great coming here and finally seeing the environment; it makes me more and more proud of coming from Nigeria. I am proud of the country and I am grateful that I am from Nigeria. In an interview I really thought it was just better to represent Nigeria because I would feel more connected here. I just felt I would have more of an opportunity here and to just represent Nigeria at the highest stage would be awesome. My parents were born and raised here so why not? I am super excited to go and represent Nigeria at the highest stage in the world and show them what we are made of. I definitely have areas to improve on but I am excited because I know there is much more I can bring to Nigeria and the world. In an interview For me, hammer throw feels like a dance that I get to refine every time I practice. The beauty in it comes from the mental and physical growth I’ve had while doing this. And it looks really cool! She spoke about the beauty of hammer throw Yes, it was difficult decision to switch allegiance. It really came down to looking at the longevity of my career in hammer throwing. Track and field is hard enough on its own and the last thing you need is the federation you’re competing for to make it harder. With Nigeria, the stress comes while being on the team and with the US it can be stressful to make the team, and I’ve decided to go with the latter. It was hard to put my stamp on that decision at first because of the friendships I gained while being on Team Nigeria. My teammates made the experience a beautiful and memorable one, especially with how we encouraged each other during the Olympics debacle. But ultimately I know what I’m capable of athletically and I wanted a federation that would do their best to respect that. I love to lay down on my comfy couch and watch a movie or binge watch a show and eat some salted popcorn OR getting to catch up with a friend over FaceTime because none of my closest friends live near me at the moment. Basically, I like to get back to my apartment and not leave. In an interview It's crazy to be the first woman to medal in women's hammer [for the U.S.]. It's crazy, especially with all the greats that have kind of come before me. External links Category: living people Category:Sportspeople from Nigeria Category:Track and field athletes Category:Women in sports Category:Immigrants to the United States Category:1996 births Category:Women born in the 1990s