Ezekiel Nathaniel advances to men’s 400m hurdles semi-finals

Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel advanced to the semi-finals of the men’s 400m hurdles after winning the final heat in 48.37 seconds.

The 22-year-old ran a controlled race and pulled away in the closing stages to secure the win ahead of Caleb Dean of the United States and Francisco dos Reis Viana of Brazil, who finished second and third respectively.

Earlier analysis by former world 110m hurdles champion Colin Jackson praised Nathaniel’s performance, describing it as a “lovely controlled race all the way around,” although he noted a “technical struggle on hurdle eight” that Nathaniel may need to correct before the next round.

Nathaniel’s victory ensures Nigeria’s presence in the semi-final stage of the event.