By Daily Sports Nigeria on September 12, 2025

With her eyes set firmly on reaching the finals in Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships, American-born Nigerian discus thrower Obiageri Amaechi reflects on the breakthroughs that transformed her career, Paris 2024 Olympic disappointment and her passion for inspiring the next generation in this interview with OLAMIDE ABE.

Our 64.80m throw in Oklahoma was a personal best and secured your ticket to the Tokyo 2025 World Championships. What was going through your mind in that moment, and how did it feel to achieve automatic qualification?

Going into this recent competition, my mind was set on one thing: executing the technical cues that I have been working on all season. It has been a tough year working through some technical challenges, and I was so glad to finally see the fruits of my labour. I threw the best series of my life in that competition, and it is wonderful that I was also able to hit the automatic qualifying mark for the world championships.

What specific technical changes or mental adjustments did you make that allowed you to add almost two metres to your personal best at the Oklahoma Throws Series?

I have a few technical cues that I have been working on mainly related to how I come out of the back of the circle. I was focused on executing these cues and fully committing to the throws. These things are not easy to do, especially when the changes you make feel foreign to your body. The focus that I’ve had on these things over the year has led to this big moment.

You have moved from being ranked as low as 35th to now becoming the second-best discus thrower in African history. What factors do you believe contributed most to this rapid ascent?

I think this move wasn’t rapid at all. Success in this sport does not happen overnight, and the truth is that you will take hundreds of throws before you see the results that you want. I think the biggest factor in my improvement has been trusting the process, even when I am not seeing the results that I want. I also think seeking advice from my coach and community has made a strong impact on my trajectory this year.

How did missing the final at the 2024 Paris Olympics affect you mentally, and what lessons did you take from that experience into your training for Tokyo?

Competing at the Paris Olympics gave me more exposure to what it feels like to compete at the highest level. My performance there has only increased my desire to compete my best in competitions of a similar calibre.

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria imposed strict national selection criteria that ruled you out of Tokyo initially. How did you cope with that uncertainty, and did it motivate you to push even harder?

I coped with the uncertainty of this situation through prayer and leaning on my community. It is moments like these that make you consider what is within your control and what is not. I chose to focus on trusting God and going to practice because these are the only things I could control.

Tokyo 2025 will be one of your biggest stages yet. What are your realistic goals for the championships, and how do you plan to achieve them?

My goal for Tokyo is to make it to the finals. I think if I can execute what I have been working on, then I will throw distances that give me a shot at this.

Beyond medals, what personal victories or milestones are you striving for in the next five years of your career?

Apart from my athletic pursuits, my goal is to launch my Nonprofit, RecruitHer, with my teammate, Ashley Anumba. The mission of our organisation is to educate young girls on the college athletic recruitment process so that they are able to pursue both an education and an athletic career. I am excited to find ways to expand this work to young girls in Nigeria.

You competed for the United States at the junior level before switching to represent Nigeria. How did that transition come about, and what influenced your decision at the time?

My decision to compete for Nigeria has been influenced by both my professional and personal desires. From a professional standpoint, competing for Nigeria has allowed me to compete more often on a national and international stage. Personally, I have always felt a desire to know my culture and come back to Nigeria as often as I can. Through athletics, I have been able to visit Nigeria more often and to build community with other athletes.

Being American-born but representing Nigeria, what does it mean for you to carry the Nigerian flag at the World Championships?

Representing Nigeria on a world stage is something I take pride in. Seeing our flag represented in these spaces shows the world that there is greatness in our people, whether at home or abroad. It encourages the world to take notice and invest in Nigerian,s whether current athletes or in the youth who aspire to compete on this level someday.

You follow in the footsteps of Chioma Onyekwere-Lyons and other Nigerian discus greats. How do you view your role in inspiring the next generation of Nigerian athletes, especially women in field events?

Mentorship and giving back to the next generation are very important to me. The success that I have is a reflection of the people in my life who have given me their time and guidance. I see my role as not only being a source of inspiration, but also a resource for mentorship and guidance when it comes to education or athletics. I hope to achieve this through a Nonprofit I am building with my teammate, Ashley Anumba.

How do you handle the pressure of expectations, both from Nigeria and the international community, given your rise and record-breaking performances?

It’s all about perspective. I like to focus less on the outcome and more on the process. You don’t just throw far distances because you “want” to. It is more likely that you throw far because you executed your cues, had good practices, and take care of yourself. I think focusing on this process feels like less pressure because you are simply doing the things that are in your control. The rest is in God’s hands.

Injuries and setbacks are part of every athlete’s journey. Have you had moments where you questioned your path in discus, and if so, what helped you persevere?

I have dealt with multiple injuries in the past three years and at times have questioned if I should keep going. I think what has helped me persevere are two things: my community and my love of the sport. It is really important to have a strong community because these are the people who will believe in you when you don’t fully believe in yourself. It is also a lot easier to stick to a sport when you enjoy it. It makes tough times easier to manage.

Your journey spans elite U.S. college athletics and international competition for Nigeria. What advice would you give to young athletes navigating similar dual paths?

My advice to young athletes is to build a strong community. Throughout your athletic career, you will meet many people and have many new experiences. Your relationships will serve as a source of information, advice, or support to prioritise building strong connections wherever you go.

Outside the circle, how do you unwind or find balance, especially during intense training and competition cycles?

I find balance during competition cycles by making time to hang out with friends or family. I am not just an athlete. I am a daughter, sister, cousin, mentor, and friend. Prioritising these parts of myself as well makes it easier to handle tough times athletically.

Source Punch Ng

Posted September 12, 2025

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