Annette Echikunwoke

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.

Early life Annette Echikunwoke started athletic throwing events in school after she won the shot put and discus throw at a sports day event, deciding that if she was good she might as well continue. Her cousin is actress Megalyn Echikunwoke.

Career Echikunwoke is from Pickerington, Ohio and attended the University of Cincinnati for both her undergraduate and master's degree, where she was on the track and field team. With Cincinnati she won the weight throw event at the 2017 NCAA Championship, also becoming the university's first NCAA champion in track and field.

In 2021, Echikunwoke threw four successive Nigerian and African records in hammer, setting the mark at 75.49m USATF Throws Festival in Tucson, Arizona, on May 22, 2021.

Echikunwoke represented the United States in the women's hammer throw at the 2024 Summer Olympics. She threw 75.48 meters, placing 2nd at the event. Her silver medal for this was the first Olympic medal for the U.S. in the women's hammer throw event.

National titles NCAA Division I Women's Indoor Track and Field Championships Weight throw: 2017