Oji wins Nigeria's first-ever shot put world title

Jessica Oji has made history by becoming the first Nigerian to win a world title in any field event, securing gold in the women's shot put at the 2026 World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Oregon. The young athlete's triumph is a landmark moment for Nigerian sports.

Oji's winning throw of 18.08 meters in the shot put secured her the historic gold medal. She established her dominance early, taking the lead with 18.05 meters in the first round and improving to 18.08 meters on her second attempt. Even with the gold medal secured, she continued to perform, throwing 18.07 meters on her final attempt.

Ecuador's Belsy Jennifer Quinonez took silver with a 17.90-meter throw, while Germany's Emily Scherf earned bronze. Oji had previously signaled her strong performance during the qualification rounds, where she led with 17.56 meters.

This historic win follows Oji's silver medal performance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where she competed against senior athletes. Her success at the World U-20 Championships is seen as a watershed moment for Nigerian athletics, which has traditionally seen more success in track and jumping events. The victory provides a significant boost to Team Nigeria's performance at the championships.