\n<\/p>\n
Instead, she decided that her future was with the country of her birth.<\/p>\n
Echikunwoke made her debut at the World Championships in Eugene in 2022, finishing 12th in the final.<\/p>\n
She was a surprise winner of the 2024 US Olympic trials, throwing a season\u2019s best of 74.86m.<\/p>\n
She bettered that in the Stade de France on Tuesday evening as her mark of 75.48m placed her behind Canada\u2019s Camryn Rogers.<\/p>\n
“I felt pretty secure coming into the competition. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime,” Echikunwoke said.<\/p>\n
“It’s electric – just being on the US team, being in the final, coming into the stadium and hearing everyone [be] so loud.<\/p>\n
“[To be] the first woman to medal (in hammer throw) for the US, it’s really an honour.<\/p>\n
“It’s really a vindication. I wanted the experience.”<\/p>\n
Today, Echikunwoke stands proud, having moved on from the chapter of her career where she could have competed under the flag of Nigeria.<\/p>\n
“I knew there was always more, even from that time,” she said.<\/p>\n
“I’ve forgiven the past and we just move forward.”<\/p>\n
A representative of Nigeria\u2019s sports minister would not be drawn on her success.<\/p>\n
“We are focusing on our own athletes now, not the one that has gone to represent [an]other country,” the spokesperson told BBC Sport Africa.<\/p>\n
The AFN did not respond to the BBC\u2019s request for comment on Echikunwoke\u2019s silver medal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n