Teen Breaks African Shot Put Record
Jessica Oji set a new African shot put record at a recent Ivy League meet, marking a major milestone in the continent's strength sports history. The teenage athlete's achievement highlights the rising influence of young talent and growing competitiveness of African athletes internationally.
University of Pennsylvania freshman Jessica Oji's record-setting throw measured 18.50 meters (60 feet, 8.5 inches). This not only secured her the gold medal at the Ivy League Indoor Championships but also established a new all-time Ivy League record. For her dominant performance, Oji was named the women's Most Outstanding Field Performer of the championships. The new African record was remarkably short-lived in its previous iteration. Just a day before Oji's throw, South Africa's Mine de Klerk had set a new continental mark of 18.48m. De Klerk's throw had broken a long-standing record held by Nigeria's Vivian Chukwuemeka. This was only the third time the 18-year-old Oji competed under the Nigerian flag. She officially became eligible to represent Nigeria on February 3, 2026, after switching her allegiance from the United States. Oji's record-breaking performance is the culmination of a rapid ascent. Just two weeks prior, in her debut for Nigeria at the Tiger Paw Invitational, she set a new Nigerian Under-20 record with a throw of 17.74m. Her new record of 18.50m now ranks her No. 2 in the NCAA and No. 3 in the world for the season.
