By Ben Efe 17.9.2025
Nigeria’s 400m hurdles sensation Ezekiel Nathaniel is making a statement at the Tokyo Japan World Athletics Championships after posting 47.47secs to qualify for the final of the event billed for Friday.
It was the fastest time in the semifinals and all eyes would be on the Baylor University student to strike out and etch his name into the list of track and field elite athletes. Nigerian athletics officials are also banking on him to win another medal for the country after Tobi Amusan won silver in the 100m hurdles.
Nathaniel the first Nigerian to be in final of 400m hurdles since Henry Amike achieved the feat in 1987, has been in fine form ahead of the World Championships and perhaps he can drop 46 seconds run to be guaranteed a place on the podium.
In August he posted a new national record of 47.31seconds and it is a pointer he can shave off some seconds and get the job done.
It is going to showdown in the final between Karsten Warholm from Norway and Rai Benjamin of the USA and Brazilian Alison Dos Santos all who have posted 46 seconds ahead of the Tokyo 2025 worlds. Warhom has the fastest time of 46.28seconds Benjamin ran 46.54 and Dos Santos clocked 46.65secs. These are the monsters Nathaniel has to beat to gets his hands on a medal.
Ezekiel Nathaniel...Uphill battle