Ezekiel Nathaniel Makes History, Reaches 400m Hurdles Final at World Championships

Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel etched his name into the history books on Wednesday after storming to victory in the semi-finals of the men’s 400m hurdles at the 2025 World Athletics Championships.

The 22-year-old clocked an impressive 47.47s to secure his place in the final, becoming only the second Nigerian to ever reach this stage in the event’s history at the World Championships. The first was Henry Amike, who achieved the feat back in 1987 in Rome.

Nathaniel will now line up in Friday’s final with hopes of not only making more history but also delivering a medal for Nigeria. His run comes just days after Tobi Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles, giving Nigeria its first medal at this year’s competition.

Opinion: A New Generation of Nigerian Track Heroes

Ezekiel Nathaniel’s breakthrough is more than just a personal triumph—it’s a symbol of Nigeria’s growing presence in global athletics. For nearly four decades, Henry Amike stood as the lone reference point for Nigeria in the men’s 400m hurdles. Now, Nathaniel has picked up that baton and sprinted into history, carrying with him the hopes of millions.

What’s particularly inspiring is his timing. Nigerian athletics has often been carried by a few shining stars at a time, and Nathaniel’s rise alongside Tobi Amusan’s consistency shows that the country is building a new generation of track heroes. His blistering 47.47s proves he has the pace, technique, and composure to stand tall among the world’s elite.

Friday’s final will be a stern test, but even reaching this stage is a monumental achievement. Should he clinch a medal, Nathaniel will not just join Amusan as a medalist—he will signal a new dawn for Nigerian track and field, where excellence is no longer an exception but a standard.

For now, fans can dream: of a podium finish, of the Nigerian flag rising on the world stage, and of a young man who just might inspire the next wave of champions.