Team Nigeria will intensify its campaign at the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, on Thursday, with Jessica Oji, Jecinta Lawrence and Precious Opinion leading the country’s charge on a busy second day of competition.

Fresh from winning a silver medal in the women’s shot put at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Oji will open Nigeria’s programme in the women’s shot put qualification (Group A) as she targets a place in the final.

Precious Opinion will also be in action in the men’s triple jump qualification, hoping to secure the required mark to advance to the medal round.

On the track, Nigeria’s mixed 4x100m relay team will begin its campaign in Round One, where a strong performance will be crucial in the race for a place in the next stage.

The women’s 400 metres will see Jecinta Lawrence and Faith Ezechukwu represent Nigeria in their respective first-round heats, with both athletes aiming to book places in the semi-finals.

David Udoh will carry the nation’s hopes in the men’s 400 metres, seeking to progress from the opening round and continue Nigeria’s impressive recent showing in the one-lap event following the success of the senior team at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Should the Nigerian athletes qualify, they will return later in the day for the men’s and women’s 400 metres semi-finals.

Team Nigeria made a promising start to the championships after Chigozie Rosemary Nwankwo progressed to the women’s 100 metres semi-finals on the opening day.

With athletes competing across the throws, jumps, sprints and relays, Nigeria will be looking to build on that encouraging start and strengthen its medal prospects at the global junior athletics showpiece.

The National Sports Commission has continued to support the country’s emerging talents as Nigeria seeks to develop a new generation of athletes capable of excelling on the world stage ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. (LEADERSHIP)