Jessica Oji, Miracle Ezechukwu Headline Team Nigeria’s Campaign At World Athletics U20 Championships In Oregon
By Saheed Afolabi
Team Nigeria is set to shift its focus to the future of athletics as a talented group of young athletes prepares to compete at the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships in Oregon, United States, from August 5 to 9.
Leading the Nigerian delegation are sprint sensation Miracle Ezechukwu and Commonwealth Games shot put silver medallist Jessica Oji, both fresh from representing the country at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. The duo will spearhead Nigeria’s quest for medals against the world’s best junior athletes.
Ezechukwu, who reached the women’s 100m semifinal at the Commonwealth Games, will contest the 100m, 200m, and the 4x100m relay in Oregon. She also brings valuable relay experience after helping Nigeria qualify for the women’s 4x100m final in Glasgow.
Oji heads into the championships in impressive form after claiming silver in the women’s shot put at the Commonwealth Games. She will compete in both the shot put and discus throw, further establishing herself as one of Nigeria’s brightest young field event talents.
Nigeria’s squad features an exciting blend of athletes across the sprints, hurdles, relays, jumps, and throws, all eager to make an impact on the global stage.
In the women’s 100m, Ezechukwu will be joined by Rosemary Nwankwo and Lucy Nwankwo, while Success Oyibu and Tejiri Praise Ugoh team up with Ezechukwu in the 200m.
The women’s 400m entries include Becky Ebiyadi, Faith Ezechukwu, and Jecinta Lawrence, while Chika Bakwunye will represent Nigeria in the 100m hurdles.
Nigeria has also assembled a strong relay squad. The 4x100m team includes Miracle Ezechukwu, Rosemary Nwankwo, Lucy Nwankwo, Success Oyibu, and Chika Bakwunye, while Becky Ebiyadi, Faith Ezechukwu, Jecinta Lawrence, and Success Oyibu will compete in the 4x400m relay.
On the men’s side, Gift Bright and Tejiri Godwin will line up in the 100m, with Bright also competing in the 200m alongside Perfect Faye. David Udoh will represent Nigeria in the 400m, while Precious Opinion will compete in the triple jump.
Nigeria’s men’s 4x100m relay pool consists of Gift Bright, Perfect Faye, Tejiri Godwin, Precious Opinion, and David Udoh.
The World Athletics U20 Championships remain one of the sport’s premier platforms for emerging talents, with the 21st edition bringing together the world’s top junior athletes to compete for international honours.
Oregon is a familiar venue for global athletics, having previously hosted the World Athletics Championships in 2022 and the World Athletics U20 Championships in 2014.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has expressed confidence in the team’s ability to build on the momentum generated by Team Nigeria’s performances at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
