Jessica Oji Strikes Gold, Ends Nigeria’s 24-Year Wait At World U-20 Championships

Nigeria’s Jessica Oji has ended the country’s 24-year wait for a medal in a women’s field event at the World Athletics U-20 Championships after winning gold in the shot put in Oregon, USA.

The 19-year-old produced a composed and dominant performance in the final, throwing 18.08 metres to claim the world junior title and underline her status as one of the brightest young talents in global athletics.

Oji, who entered the competition as the world U-20 leader following her season-best 18.50m, held her nerve in a fiercely contested final to finish ahead of Ecuador’s Belsy Jenniffer Quiñónez, who took silver with 17.90m.

Germany’s Emily Scherf completed the podium with a best effort of 17.23m.

The Nigerian opened strongly and maintained her composure throughout the competition, with her 18.08m effort proving sufficient for gold. She also produced another impressive throw of 18.07m.

Italy’s Anita Nalesso finished fourth with 16.50m, while Ukraine’s Anhelina Shepel and Greece’s Maria Rafailidou placed fifth and sixth with 16.42m and 16.25m respectively.

Oji’s triumph represents a landmark moment for Nigerian athletics, as it is the country’s first medal in a women’s field event at the World U-20 Championships since Esther Aghatise won long jump bronze in 2002.

The victory ends a 24-year drought and adds another major achievement to Oji’s rapidly growing career.

Having arrived in Oregon with a silver medal from the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and the world-leading 18.50m to her name, Oji was widely regarded as the athlete to beat in the event.

She justified those expectations with a mature display under pressure to secure Nigeria’s first gold medal at the championships and provide a major boost to Team Nigeria’s campaign.

Her success also strengthens Nigeria’s growing presence in field events and is expected to inspire a new generation of female athletes.

Five African nations have so far featured on the championships’ medal table, with Kenya leading the continental standings ahead of Nigeria, Uganda, Ethiopia and South Africa. The host United States currently tops the overall medal table.