Nathaniel ends 38-year drought, storms into World 400m Hurdles Final for Nigeria
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Nathaniel’s breakthrough highlights the resurgence of Nigeria’s presence in technical track events, complementing the country’s storied sprinting legacy.
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Ezekiel Nathaniel has made history for Nigeria, becoming the first Nigerian man to reach the men’s 400m hurdles final at the World Championships since Henry Amike in 1987.
Nathaniel delivered a commanding performance in the second semifinal at the Tokyo 2025 World Championships, crossing the finish line in a blazing 47.47 seconds to secure his spot in the final.
Nathaniel outran a strong field, finishing ahead of Qatar’s Ismail Abakar, who achieved a personal best of 47.61 seconds, and American Caleb Dean, who took third with a time of 47.85 seconds.
The 400m hurdles, a demanding event that combines speed, endurance, and technical skill, showcased Nathaniel’s exceptional talent and marked a significant moment for Nigerian athletics.
This milestone echoes the achievement of Henry Amike, who was the last Nigerian to compete in the 400m hurdles final at the World Championships nearly four decades ago.
Nathaniel’s breakthrough highlights the resurgence of Nigeria’s presence in technical track events, complementing the country’s storied sprinting legacy.
Nathaniel, born 20 June, 2003, has emerged as one of Africa’s brightest athletics talents. A product of Baylor University in Texas, he first came to prominence in 2022 when he shattered Henry Amike’s long-standing national record in the 400m hurdles with a time of 48.42 seconds.
That same year, he represented Nigeria at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, reaching the semi-finals.
Ezekiel’s career has since soared. He reached the semi-finals of the 2023 World Championships in Budapest and the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he also ran in Nigeria’s 4x400m relay.
In March 2025, he stormed to an African indoor record of 44.74 in the 400m, placing eighth on the world all-time list.
Later in 2025, he clinched the NCAA Outdoor title, broke the Nigerian hurdles record again with 47.31, and consistently battled the world’s best, including Karsten Warholm, Rai Benjamin, and Alison Dos Santos.
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