Nigerian athlete Ezekiel Nathaniel has set a new national record in the men’s 400m hurdles, clocking an electrifying 47.11 seconds to finish fourth in a thrilling final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. The 22-year-old’s performance marks the fastest time ever recorded by a Nigerian in the event.
The race was not without drama, as American star Rai Benjamin was briefly disqualified for a lane violation, a decision that momentarily elevated Nathaniel to the bronze medal position. However, following a successful appeal, Benjamin was reinstated and claimed the gold medal with a time of 46.52 seconds. Brazil’s Alison dos Santos took silver in 46.84 seconds, while Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba secured the bronze with 47.06 seconds, leaving Nathaniel just outside the podium.
Despite narrowly missing a medal, Nathaniel’s performance was a significant breakthrough for Nigerian athletics. His new record shaves off precious time from his previous best of 47.31 seconds, which he set earlier this year.
This latest achievement adds to a remarkable journey for the young hurdler, who represents Baylor University in Texas. Nathaniel first made headlines in 2022 when he broke a 35-year-old national record set by Henry Amike. Since then, his rise has been steady and spectacular, cementing his place as one of the most promising talents in the field.
