Ezekiel Nathaniel made history for Nigeria at the Tokyo 2025 World Championships by setting a new national record in the men’s 400m hurdles final with a blazing 47.11 seconds, finishing fourth. This remarkable performance solidifies his status among the world’s top hurdlers and sets a new standard for Nigerian athletics.
Key Highlights of Nathaniel’s Performance:
– New Nigerian Record: Nathaniel’s 47.11 seconds broke the previous record of 47.31 seconds, set on August 16, 2025, during the Kamila Skolimowska Memorial meet in Chorzów, Poland.
– Narrow Miss of Medal: Nathaniel was just 0.05 seconds shy of Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba, who took the bronze medal with a time of 47.06 seconds.
– Historic Achievement: Nathaniel became the first Nigerian man to reach the 400m hurdles final at the World Championships since Henry Amike in 1987, ending a 38-year wait.
– Second-Fastest African Time: His performance is also the second-fastest 400m hurdles time by an African, slightly behind Samuel Matete’s record of 47.10 seconds.
Reaction and Future Prospects:
Nathaniel showed class and sportsmanship by praising American hurdler Rai Benjamin, saying he deserved the gold medal. Despite missing out on a medal, Nathaniel’s performance has sparked hope for a potential global podium finish in the nearest future. With the Paris 2025 Diamond League series and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics on the horizon, Nathaniel’s Tokyo heroics may well be a springboard for greater achievements.
