Nigeria’s track and field scene witnessed another historic moment on Friday as Ezekiel Nathaniel, the country’s fast-rising 400m hurdles star, stormed to a national record of 47.11 seconds in the final of the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025. The performance, though not enough for a medal, solidified Nathaniel’s status as one of the brightest young athletes in world athletics.
Fourth Place Finish in World-Class Field
The 22-year-old narrowly missed out on the podium, finishing fourth behind a field stacked with global superstars. The race was full of drama, with American Rai Benjamin initially disqualified for a lane infringement, which briefly elevated Nathaniel into bronze position. However, following a successful appeal, Benjamin was reinstated and ultimately crowned world champion with a brilliant run.
Brazil’s Alison dos Santos secured silver in 46.84 seconds, while Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba edged Nathaniel to the bronze medal spot with 47.06 seconds. Despite the disappointment of missing a medal by just fractions of a second, Nathaniel’s display was hailed as a breakthrough moment for Nigeria on the global stage.
Breaking Barriers and Setting Records
Nathaniel’s 47.11-second run is now officially the fastest ever by a Nigerian athlete in the 400m hurdles, eclipsing his own previous record of 47.31s set earlier in 2025 at the Kamila Skolimowska Memorial in Poland. His progression has been remarkable, with the Tokyo performance marking his third time breaking the national record this year alone.
Born in 2003, Nathaniel’s rise has been meteoric since joining Baylor University in Texas. As a freshman in 2022, he stunned the athletics world by erasing a record that had stood since Henry Amike’s 48.50s in 1987, running 48.42s at the Big 12 Conference meet in Lubbock, Texas.
A Stellar 2025 Season
The Nigerian hurdler’s 2025 campaign has been one of steady improvement and headline-making performances:
- June 2025 – Won the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon with a time of 47.49s, breaking his own record and setting the third fastest time in NCAA history for the event.
- NCAA Semifinals 2025 – Became the first man in NCAA history to dip under 48 seconds in a semifinal, clocking 47.86s.
- September 2025 – Delivered the performance of his career so far in Tokyo with 47.11s, proving he belongs among the world’s elite.
Looking Ahead
Though he leaves Tokyo without a medal, Ezekiel Nathaniel has confirmed his status as Nigeria’s new athletics talisman. At just 22, he has time on his side and a growing reputation as one of the world’s best young hurdlers. His trajectory suggests that Olympic glory could soon follow as he continues to lower his times and gain experience against the very best.
With the Paris 2028 Olympics on the horizon, Nigerian athletics has every reason to dream again, with Nathaniel leading the charge.
