Jessica Oji, Miracle Ezechukwu Lead Team Nigeria’s Charge at World Athletics U20 Championships in Oregon
Oru Leonard
Fresh from competing at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, two of Nigeria’s brightest young athletics stars, Jessica Oji and Miracle Ezechukwu, will spearhead Team Nigeria’s campaign at the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships in Oregon, United States, from August 5 to 9.
The duo headlines a talented Nigerian contingent aiming to make a strong impression at the global junior athletics showpiece, which brings together the world’s finest emerging track and field athletes.
Miracle Ezechukwu, who reached the women’s 100 metres semifinal at the Commonwealth Games and was part of Nigeria’s 4x100m relay team that qualified for the final in Glasgow, will compete in the women’s 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay in Oregon.
Jessica Oji arrives with growing international recognition after claiming a silver medal in the women’s shot put at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. She will compete in both the shot put and discus throw events, hoping to build on her recent success.
The Nigerian women’s sprint squad also includes Rosemary Nwankwo and Lucy Nwankwo in the 100m, while Success Oyibu and Tejiri Praise Ugoh join Ezechukwu in the 200m. Becky Ebiyadi, Faith Ezechukwu and Jecinta Lawrence will contest the women’s 400m, with Chika Bakwunye representing Nigeria in the 100m hurdles.
For the relay events, Nigeria has assembled formidable teams. The women’s 4x100m relay pool consists of Miracle Ezechukwu, Rosemary Nwankwo, Lucy Nwankwo, Success Oyibu and Chika Bakwunye, while Becky Ebiyadi, Faith Ezechukwu, Jecinta Lawrence and Success Oyibu make up the 4x400m relay squad.
On the men’s side, Gift Bright and Tejiri Godwin will compete in the 100m, while Bright teams up with Perfect Faye in the 200m. David Udoh will represent Nigeria in the 400m, and Precious Opinion will compete in the triple jump.
Nigeria’s men’s 4x100m relay team comprises Gift Bright, Perfect Faye, Tejiri Godwin, Precious Opinion and David Udoh.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) expressed confidence that the athletes would build on the momentum created by Team Nigeria’s impressive performances at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, describing the championship as an important platform for nurturing future international stars.
The World Athletics U20 Championships remain one of the premier competitions for emerging athletics talents worldwide, with Oregon once again hosting a major global athletics event after staging the World Athletics Championships in 2022 and the World U20 Championships in 2014.
