Nigeria will be led by sprinter Miracle Ezechukwu and shot put silver medallist Jessica Oji at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, running from 5 to 9 August.
Key takeaways
- Ezechukwu is entered in the women’s 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay.
- Oji will compete in both the shot put and discus.
- Nigeria’s delegation includes athletes across sprints, hurdles, jumps and throws.
- The championship will be staged at Hayward Field, a former World Championships and World U20 Championships venue.
- The National Sports Commission wants the team to use its experience as part of Nigeria’s junior-to-senior development pathway.
Nigeria’s leading entries
Ezechukwu reached the women’s 100m semi-finals at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. In Oregon, she will contest that event and the 200m, while also being included in the country’s 4x100m relay group. She previously helped Nigeria reach the Commonwealth Games final in the relay.
Oji, who collected the shot put silver medal in Glasgow, will take part in the shot put and discus at the championships.
The pair lead a Nigerian team featuring competitors in the sprint events, hurdles, jumping disciplines and throwing events.
Full team selection
Rosemary Nwankwo and Lucy Nwankwo join Ezechukwu in the women’s 100m. Success Oyibu and Tejiri Praise Ugoh are also entered in the 200m. The women’s 400m representatives are Becky Ebiyadi, Faith Ezechukwu and Jecinta Lawrence, while Chika Bakwunye will race in the 100m hurdles.
Nigeria’s women’s 4x100m relay pool consists of Miracle Ezechukwu, Rosemary Nwankwo, Lucy Nwankwo, Success Oyibu and Chika Bakwunye. The 4x400m group includes Becky Ebiyadi, Faith Ezechukwu, Jecinta Lawrence and Success Oyibu.
Gift Bright and Tejiri Godwin will compete in the men’s 100m. Bright will also contest the 200m, alongside Perfect Faye. David Udoh is entered in the 400m, while Precious Opinion will compete in the triple jump. The men’s 4x100m relay pool is made up of Gift Bright, Perfect Faye, Tejiri Godwin, Precious Opinion and David Udoh.
The event is being held for the 21st time and will return to Hayward Field. The Oregon venue staged the World Athletics Championships in 2022 and previously hosted the World U20 Championships in 2014.
The National Sports Commission said it expects Nigeria’s young athletes to build on the country’s performances in Glasgow. It also views the championships as part of the progression from junior competition to the senior international level.
