Jessica Oji Tops Qualification to Reach World U20 Shot Put Final

Nigeria’s Jessica Oji underlined her status as the favourite for the women’s shot put title after comfortably qualifying for the final at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Oregon, USA.

The 19-year-old produced a best throw of 17.56m to win Group A and finish as the top qualifier overall, securing one of the automatic qualifying spots with ease.

Her performance was well clear of Ecuador’s Belsy Jenniffer Quiñonez, who threw 17.25m to finish second overall, while Germany’s Emily Scherf led Group B with 16.58m.

Oji, who arrived in Oregon as the world U20 leader with an African and Nigerian U20 record of 18.50m, never looked under pressure as she safely advanced to the medal round.

Fiji’s Maryann Macedru also earned an automatic qualification with a national U20 record of 16.04m, while American Jaslene Massey (15.99m) progressed as the best non-automatic qualifier.

The Nigerian will now head into the final as the athlete to beat, with her season’s best of 18.50m standing nearly a metre farther than the leading mark produced in qualification.

Having topped the qualifying round, Oji remains firmly on course to become the first Nigerian to win the women’s shot put title at the World Athletics U20 Championships.