Tag: Ezekiel Nathaniel

Nigeria’s rising star Ezekiel Nathaniel produced another historic performance in the men’s 400m hurdles at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, setting a new national record of 47.11 seconds to finish fourth in a thrilling final.

The 21-year-old, who already held the Nigerian record, lowered his own mark once again but narrowly missed out on a podium finish. His time places him behind gold medalist Rai Benjamin of the United States (46.52), Brazil’s Alison dos Santos (46.84) who claimed silver, and Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba (47.06) who clinched bronze. Norway’s Karsten Warholm, the world record holder, placed fifth in 47.58 seconds.

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Speaking after the race, Nathaniel expressed satisfaction with his progress and optimism for the future.

“I still have a lot of potential. I am pleased because I did my best and I ran a personal record,” he said. “I hope this performance will inspire young Nigerian athletes. This is a great opportunity to learn from the world’s best.”

The race carried late drama after Benjamin was initially disqualified for crashing into the final hurdle, which temporarily elevated Nathaniel to bronze position. However, following a successful appeal, Benjamin was reinstated and confirmed as champion.

Ezekiel Nathaniel made history for Nigeria at the Tokyo 2025 World Championships, setting a new national record in the men’s 400m hurdles with a blazing 47.11 seconds to finish fourth.

He was briefly hailed as a World Championship bronze medalist following the disqualification of American Rai Benjamin, the initial winner, for lane infringement.

However, after an appeal, Benjamin’s result was reinstated, returning him to the gold medal position and pushing Nathaniel back to fourth place.

Nathaniel’s 47.11 seconds was just 0.05 seconds shy of Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba, who took bronze in 47.06 seconds.

Benjamin’s reinstated winning time was 46.54 seconds, while Brazil’s Alison dos Santos claimed silver in 46.84 seconds.

Despite this, the 21-year-old Nathaniel’s performance solidifies his status among the world’s top hurdlers and sets a new standard for Nigerian athletics, fueling hopes for a future global podium finish.

After  breaking a 38-year wait to cruise  into the 400m Hurdles Final on Day 5  at the ongoing World Athletics Championships Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel would have his eyes firmly on a podium finish as the National Stadium in Tokyo comes alive today.

Yesterday, the 22-year-old  stormed  into the men’s 400m hurdles final with a sensational performance in  of the semifinals races.

The Nigerian record holder and NCAA Champion seized control of the race early and never looked back, crossing the line in 47.47 seconds to win Semifinal 2. His time was the fastest across all semifinal races, underlining his status as a strong medal contender in Thursday’s final.

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The historic run makes Nathaniel the first Nigerian man to reach the 400m hurdles final at the World Championships since Henry Amike achieved the feat in 1987, ending a 38-year wait.

Incidentally, Nathaniel was not only Nigeria’s  star performer on Day 5 of the World Championships as  sprint sensation, Udodi Onwuzurike,  kicked off his campaign in the men’s 200m with a smooth run. The national champion clocked 20.27 seconds to finish second in his heat and secure automatic qualification for the semifinals.

He finished just behind American star Kenneth Bednarek, who won in 19.98 seconds, while South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile also clocked 20.27 to take third.

With Nathaniel blazing a historic trail in the hurdles and Onwuzurike advancing smoothly in the sprints, Nigerian athletics fans have plenty to cheer as the World Championships in Tokyo hits another level on Day 6.

Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel is set for a crucial test  today, September 17, when he lines up in the men’s 400m hurdles semifinals at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

The Baylor University star, booked his ticket to the last four with a commanding run in his opening heat on Monday. Nathaniel clocked 48.37 seconds, outclassing the field with his smooth hurdling and powerful finish.

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The 21-year-old will now compete in Heat 2 of the semifinals, where he faces a tough line-up that includes Sweden’s Oskar Edlund, Kenya’s Wiseman Were Mukhobe, Jamaica’s Malik James-King, American Caleb Dean, Sudan’s Ismail Abakar, Brazil’s Matheus Lima, and Germany’s Owe Fischer-Breiholz.

With a place in the final at stake, Nathaniel will need another composed performance to continue his impressive run and strengthen Nigeria’s medal hopes in Tokyo.

As Team Nigeria continues to compete at the ongoing Olympic Games in Paris, the nation’s athletes have made remarkable strides.

National Record Holder, Ezekiel Nathaniel,  yesterday  broke  a 12-year jinx  by qualifying for the semifinals of the men’s 400m hurdles event, while Samuel Ogazi shattered a 16-yearjinx  by advancing to the semifinals in the men’s 400m.

Nathaniel became the first Nigerian athlete in 12 years to reach the semifinals of the 400m hurdles at the Olympics.

He secured his spot by finishing 2nd in heat 4 with a time of 48.32 seconds, earning an automatic qualification.

The last Nigerian to reach this stage in the event was Amaechi Morton at the London 2012 Olympics.

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Nathaniel , according to Making of Champions, has been having a fantastic season, from bettering his National Record (NR) to qualifying for the Olympics and winning Bronze at the NCAA Championships.

He  had an impressive run from lane 3 to place seconds  in 48.38s, which is his fourth fastest time ever.

Jamaica’s Roshawn Clarke won the race in 48.17s, and Wilfried Happio took the last automatic spot in 48.42s

In the men’s 400m event, Samuel Ogazi ran a new personal best of 44.50 seconds, finishing  second  behind USA’s Quincy Hall, who won the race in 44.28 seconds. Ogazi’s impressive performance marked the first time in 16 years that a Nigerian male quarter-miler qualified for the 400m semifinals at the Olympics.