Teenager Sets New Nigerian U‑20 Shot Put Benchmark

Eighteen‑year‑old Jessica Oji has rewritten the Nigerian record books in the women’s under‑20 shot put, establishing a new national best with a 17.74‑metre throw at the Tiger Paw Invitational in the United States. This effort not only marked her personal top performance at the meet but also elevated her name into the country’s athletics spotlight after she recently elected to compete for Nigeria.

Oji’s new mark surpasses previous junior performances and highlights her rapid development in the event, where power, technique, and consistency are vital. Her competitive display at the invitational — which attracts strong collegiate and international throwers — underscores her potential to challenge senior records in the coming seasons.

Athletics officials and fans have praised her achievement, seeing it as a sign of growth for Nigeria’s field events on the global stage. Oji’s switch of allegiance to represent Nigeria has already begun to bear fruit, adding depth to the country’s roster of rising track and field talents.

Her performance this season positions her as one of the country’s most promising young field athletes ahead of future continental and world U‑20 competitions.