By our reporter 8.2.2026
After winning a throws double at the World School Games concluded January 24, 2026 in Doha, Qatar Faazil Tijani is the name on the lips of athletics enthusiasts.
Tijani, a 13 years old student of the Grange College Lagos stunned the world of school sports when he threw 11.83m in the shot put and 28.88m in the discus to win gold in both events at the World School Games in his first ever competition outside Nigeria.
Coached by Alex Udjoh a World Masters athlete, the youngster only made his entrance into track and field in November 2025 and has been working hard to etch his name in the history of world athletics.
“We first noticed him during an inter house sports organised by the Grange School in November 2025.
“His mom brought him to the Police College Ikeja training ground and that’s where he’s been honing his skills before going to Doha to conquer the world,” coach Udjoh said.
” He has a great prospect in the throws events especially in shot put and discus, He’s very committed to training.
“He has shown great interest in continuing with his development in track and field and will continue to train him to achieve his potential.”
Udjoh called on the Athletics Federation of Nigeria to pay more attention to the grassroots development of athletes, stressing that it is the fundamental step to achieving greater success in world contests.
“If at his raw stage Tijani could grind out such a result it means there is more to come. We can only get the best if we follow up.
“There are many kids like him waiting to be discovered, they can only be discovered if we have national underage competitions and then of course gather the medal potentials for special attention,” added Udjoh who also groomed Oluranti Anderson a 13 years old girl to winning gold at the World School Games in 2025.
