As a substitute, she determined that her future was with the nation of her start.
Echikunwoke made her debut on the World Championships in Eugene in 2022, ending twelfth within the closing.
She was a shock winner of the 2024 US Olympic trials, throwing a season’s better of 74.86m.
She bettered that within the Stade de France on Tuesday night as her mark of 75.48m positioned her behind Canada’s Camryn Rogers.
“I felt fairly safe coming into the competitors. It is a possibility of a lifetime,” Echikunwoke stated.
“It is electrical – simply being on the US crew, being within the closing, coming into the stadium and listening to everybody [be] so loud.
“[To be] the primary girl to medal (in hammer throw) for the US, it is actually an honour.
“It is actually a vindication. I needed the expertise.”
As we speak, Echikunwoke stands proud, having moved on from the chapter of her profession the place she may have competed underneath the flag of Nigeria.
“I knew there was at all times extra, even from that point,” she stated.
“I’ve forgiven the previous and we simply transfer ahead.”
A consultant of Nigeria’s sports activities minister wouldn’t be drawn on her success.
“We’re specializing in our personal athletes now, not the one which has gone to characterize [an]different nation,” the spokesperson informed BBC Sport Africa.
The AFN didn’t reply to the BBC’s request for touch upon Echikunwoke’s silver medal.