Ezekiel Nathaniel etched his name into Nigerian athletics history on Wednesday, storming into the men’s 400m hurdles final at the Tokyo 2025 World Championships.
Ezekiel Nathaniel, 22, became the first Nigerian man to reach the final of the event since Henry Amike achieved the feat in 1987.
The Baylor University graduate powered to victory in the second semi-final, clocking an impressive 47.47 seconds.
Not only was it the fastest time across all three semi-finals, it also ranked as Nigeria’s second-fastest mark ever, trailing only his own national record of 47.31 set a month earlier.
Nathaniel’s performance came with a touch of drama. Though he started slower off the blocks, he gathered momentum in the middle section and delivered a devastating surge over the last two hurdles.
His strong finish left Qatar’s Ismail Doudai Abakar, who ran a personal best of 47.61, and American Caleb Dean (47.85) chasing shadows.
The result carries special weight for Nathaniel, who had suffered heartbreak in Oregon and Budapest after falling short in previous semi-final rounds. His breakthrough in Tokyo confirms him as one of Nigeria’s brightest prospects on the global stage.
“It feels good to make it here finally. I’m not going to say too much. We have seen their potential, and I’m still scratching the surface, so they better be ready,” Nathaniel told Making of Champions, sending a bold warning to the sport’s heavyweights.
The young hurdler will now face the formidable trio often dubbed the “Big 3”: Norway’s Karsten Warholm, America’s Rai Benjamin and Brazil’s Alison dos Santos. All three advanced from their respective heats, setting up a final packed with world-class talent.
Nathaniel, however, has demonstrated his ability to contend against the best. With Tobi Amusan already securing silver in the women’s hurdles, another medal in the men’s event could mark one of Nigeria’s most memorable campaigns at the World Championships.
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