Oji Ends 24-Year Wait as Nigeria Strikes World U-20 Shot Put Gold

Posted : 07 August 2026

Nigeria’s Jessica Oji has ended a 24-year wait for a women’s field-event medal at the World U-20 Athletics Championships after producing a superb performance to win gold in the shot put in Oregon, United States.

The 19-year-old Nigerian, who arrived at the championships as the world U-20 leader, threw 18.08 metres to emerge champion in a closely fought final.

Ecuador’s Belsy Jenniffer Quiñónez settled for silver after recording 17.90 metres, while Germany’s Emily Scherf took bronze with a best effort of 17.23 metres.

Oji, who had established herself as the athlete to beat with a season-leading 18.50 metres, showed remarkable composure when it mattered most, producing two outstanding throws of 18.08 metres and 18.07 metres.

Her winning performance was enough to secure Nigeria’s first women’s field-event medal at the World U-20 Athletics Championships since Esther Aghatise claimed bronze in the long jump in 2002.

The achievement also makes Oji the latest Nigerian athlete to announce herself on the global junior stage, following a remarkable season that has already seen her win a silver medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Oji's victory further underlines her rapid emergence as one of the leading young shot putters in world athletics and provides Nigeria with a major boost at the Oregon championships.

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

The Nigerian’s triumph also strengthens the country’s presence on the championships’ medal table as African nations continue to make their mark in Oregon.

Five African countries have so far featured on the medal table, with Kenya leading the continent ahead of Nigeria, Uganda, Ethiopia and South Africa, while the hosts, the United States, remain at the top overall.

Oji’s historic gold is expected to provide further encouragement for the development of women’s field events in Nigeria and inspire a new generation of athletes to pursue success on the international stage.

Her landmark achievement highlights Nigeria’s growing strength in field events and reinforces the country's reputation for producing world-class young athletes capable of competing with the very best on the global stage.

Oji Ends 24-Year Wait as Nigeria Strikes World U-20 Shot Put Gold

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