Nigerian athlete Jessica Oji has made history by winning gold in the women’s shot put at the 2026 World U20 Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, United States. Her victory makes her the first Nigerian athlete to win a gold medal in a field event at the World U20 Championships.
The 19-year-old secured the title with a throw of 18.08 metres, after opening with 18.05m. She also recorded 18.07m on her final attempt, while Ecuador’s Belsy Jennifer Quinonez took silver with 17.90m and Germany’s Emily Scherf won bronze.
Oji’s achievement is particularly significant because Nigeria had previously won field-event medals at the World U20 Championships but had never claimed gold. Her victory also gives Nigeria its first medal at the 2026 championships.
The gold adds to a breakthrough year for Oji, who switched her sporting allegiance from the United States to Nigeria earlier this year. She also won silver in the women’s shot put at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow before heading to Oregon for the World U20 Championships.
Daily Times
