Duro Ikhazuagbe
Nineteen-year-old Jessica Oji early hours of Friday became the first Nigerian to win a world title in a field event at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, United States.
Oji heaved a massive 18.08 metres to take the women’s shot put event gold, leaving the silver medal for Belsy Jenniffer Quiñonez (17.90m) of Ecuador while Emily Scherf (17.23m) of Germany settled for the bronze.
The feat of Oji is coming up barely one week after winning a silver medal at her first competition in Nigeria’s colours at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
She didn’t leave anyone in doubt about her capacity to take the gold medal at the World U20. Oji kicked off her campaign with 18.05m, before she improved to her winning throw of 18.08m. Her third effort was 17.95m, before another 18.07m . All her efforts were good enough for the gold as Quiñonez of Ecuador’s best for the silver was 17.90m.
Interestingly, Oji just last February completed her switch of allegiance from the United States of America to Nigeria.
She celebrated her 19th birthday at Team Nigeria’s training camp in Aberdeen on June 23 while preparing for the Commonwealth Games.
Oji’s best effort at Glasgow 2026 was 17.87m that earned her the silver medal. Now, she has stepped into the 18.00m mark even as a junior athlete, giving Nigeria the hope having a shot put star in the ranks of world’s best throwers .
In a chat with THISDAY at the Commonwealth Games, Oji, said that competing for Nigeria gives her joy. “If I don’t compete for Nigeria where else? I love the vibes, the atmosphere around the Nigerian camp and all around me here in Glasgow. I will go to the World U20 Championships to give my best,” Oji stressed in the interview at the Team Nigeria Maldron Hotel…
Source link
Read Full Article by Ima Ekanem at www.thisdaylive.com
Source link
