Team Nigeria has named sprinter Miracle Ezechukwu and shot put silver medallist Jessica Oji among the athletes leading its team to the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, from 5 to 9 August.
Ezechukwu, who reached the women’s 100m semi-final at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, will run the 100m and 200m in Oregon and is also listed in the 4x100m relay pool, having been part of Nigeria’s women’s team that made the Commonwealth Games final in that event.
Oji, who won silver in the shot put at Glasgow, will contest both the shot put and discus in Oregon.
They headline a squad spanning sprints, hurdles, jumps and throws.
In the women’s 100m, Ezechukwu is joined by Rosemary Nwankwo and Lucy Nwankwo. Success Oyibu and Tejiri Praise Ugoh join her in the 200m. Becky Ebiyadi, Faith Ezechukwu and Jecinta Lawrence make up the 400m entries, with Chika Bakwunye in the 100m hurdles.
The women’s 4x100m pool comprises Miracle Ezechukwu, Rosemary Nwankwo, Lucy Nwankwo, Success Oyibu and Chika Bakwunye. The 4x400m pool is Becky Ebiyadi, Faith Ezechukwu, Jecinta Lawrence and Success Oyibu.
On the men’s side, Gift Bright and Tejiri Godwin will run the 100m, with Bright doubling in the 200m alongside Perfect Faye. David Udoh competes in the 400m and Precious Opinion in the triple jump. The men’s 4x100m pool is Gift Bright, Perfect Faye, Tejiri Godwin, Precious Opinion and David Udoh.
Now in its 21st edition, the championship returns to Hayward Field, which hosted the World Athletics Championships in 2022 and the World U20 Championships in 2014.
The National Sports Commission(NSC) said it expects the young athletes to draw on Team Nigeria’s Glasgow performances as the country builds its pathway from junior to senior international competition.