Jessica Oji Wins Nigeria’s First World U20 Athletics Gold Since 2021

Jessica Oji won Nigeria’s first gold medal at the World U20 Athletics Championships since 2021 after claiming the women’s shot put title in Eugene, Oregon on Thursday.

Oji produced a winning throw of 18.20 meters to lead the competition and give Nigeria its first medal of the 2026 championships.

The victory continues a remarkable rise for the 19-year-old, who switched allegiance to Nigeria earlier this year after representing the United States at junior level.

Oji had already established herself as one of Nigeria’s leading young field athletes after throwing 18.50 meters to set an African indoor record during her first collegiate season at the University of Pennsylvania.

She also claimed Nigeria's first medal in the women's shot put event since 2006 at the just-concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, after throwing a lifetime best.

Her latest success also adds to a breakthrough year in which she won the Ivy League shot put title and became an All-American at the NCAA Indoor Championships.

Oji’s gold ended Nigeria’s wait for a World U20 title since 2021, when the country won two medals at the championships in Nairobi, including gold in the women’s 4x400-meter relay.

The medal was the highlight of a busy second day for Team Nigeria, with several athletes advancing through their respective events while others bowed out of the competition.

Nigeria’s young sprinters were among those in action, with the country continuing its campaign across the track and field events at Hayward Field.

The championships, which began Wednesday and run through Sunday, have brought together some of the world’s best young athletes in Oregon.

Oji’s performance gives Nigeria an important early boost as the team targets more medals before the championships end.

The result also highlights the growing strength of Nigeria’s young athletes, with Oji joining a new generation seeking to follow the footsteps of the country’s established stars.

Oji’s breakthrough comes only months after she began competing internationally for Nigeria, making her rapid rise one of the standout stories of the championships.