Eighteen-year-old shot put sensation Jessica Orji has officially switched her sporting allegiance from the United States to Nigeria.
Orji, who emerged as the United States U20 Shot Put Champion in 2025, has decided to represent Nigeria at international competitions going forward, a move that is expected to bolster the country’s prospects in field events.
Currently a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania, Orji has continued her rapid rise in collegiate athletics.
She recently set a new Ivy League record in the women’s shot put with a throw of 18.45 meters, underlining her status as one of the brightest young talents in the discipline.
Her impressive mark has also propelled her to second place in the current NCAA rankings, further highlighting her consistency and competitive edge at the highest level of collegiate competition in the United States.
Orji’s switch adds to the growing list of diaspora athletes opting to represent Nigeria, a development seen as a strategic boost for the nation’s athletics program ahead of major global championships.
