Obiageri Amaechi opened Team Nigeria’s athletics account with a silver medal on the first day of the discipline at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games, The PUNCH reports.

Amaechi threw 56.99m, narrowly missing out on gold by just 0.05m to Nora Monie, who grabbed the top spot with a mark of 57.04m.

Ozlem Becerek of Turkey settled for bronze with a throw of 55.56m, while Nigeria’s national record holder Chioma Onyekwere-Lyons finished fourth at 55.08m.

The medal adds to Nigeria’s overall tally at the Games, which now stands at 16, comprising six gold, six silver and four bronze, placing the country eighth on the medal table.

Amaechi’s silver is a timely redemption following her recent disappointment at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where she exited the women’s discus in the first round.

In Tokyo, Amaechi opened with a throw of 55.69m, managed 48.82m on her second attempt and failed to improve on her third, missing out on the final.

Onyekwere-Lyons, who finished just outside the podium, also contributed to Nigeria’s strong showing, throwing 55.08m in the competition.

Both athletes continue to be central to Nigeria’s ambitions in women’s discus on the international stage.

The country suffered some withdrawals ahead of the games with African shot put record holder Chukwuebuka Enekwechi and recently switched Divine Oladipo, opting out of participating.

Nigeria still paraded a capable mix of home-based and foreign-based athletes across sprints, relays, and field events.

The men’s team features Chidera Ezeakor, Caleb John, and James Emmanuel competing in short sprint, while David Akhalu, Gafari Badmus, and Ezekiel Asuquo will line up in the long sprint events.

In the field, Samuel Kure and Victoria Kparika will represent the country in the javelin throw.

On the women’s side, Chioma Nweke and Anita Enaruna will run in the 100m and 200m, joined by Maria Omokwe, Miracle Ezechukwu, Iyanuoluwa Bada, and veteran quarter-miler Patience George in the sprint and relay teams.

The Games started from November 7 and will run through to November 21 at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium in Saudi Arabia. (PUNCH)