Jessica Oji has become the first Nigerian to win a world title in a field event at any level, after winning gold in the women’s shot put at the 2026 World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Oregon.
Oji produced a championship-winning throw of 18.08 metres to seal the triumph, a run of form that has established her as one of the world’s most promising young athletes. Oji took an early lead in the opening round with a throw of 18.05 metres, before improving to 18.08 metres on her second attempt, a mark that proved unbeatable for the remainder of the competition.
With gold already secured heading into her final attempt, she threw another 18.07 metres, just one centimetre short of her winning distance.
Ecuador’s Belsy Jennifer Quinonez claimed silver with a best throw of 17.90 metres, while Germany’s Emily Scherf took bronze.
Oji threw 17.56 metres during qualification to finish first overall and advance to the final.
Her gold in Oregon comes just weeks after the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where she won silver in the women’s shot put against senior competitors before travelling to the United States for the 2026 World Athletics Under-20 Championships.
The victory marks a milestone for Nigerian athletics, in a discipline where the country has historically enjoyed greater success on the track and in the jumps, and provides a boost for Team Nigeria’s campaign at the championships.
