Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel made history at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo by setting a new national record in the men’s 400m hurdles final. The 22-year-old clocked an impressive 47.11 seconds, surpassing his own previous record of 47.31 seconds set just a month ago.
Nathaniel delivered a remarkable performance but narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing in fourth place. The race had a dramatic twist when American star Rai Benjamin was initially disqualified for knocking down a hurdle in the closing stretch, a decision that briefly promoted Nathaniel to third. However, following an appeal, Benjamin’s result was reinstated, pushing Nathaniel back to fourth.
Despite the disappointment of missing the podium, Nathaniel’s achievement remains a landmark moment for Nigerian athletics. His run not only reset the national benchmark but also established him as one of the fastest rising stars in global hurdling.
Speaking after the race, Nathaniel expressed pride in his performance, noting that breaking the record on the world stage was a sign of progress. He added that the feat would inspire younger athletes back home in Nigeria and fuel his own drive for future championships.
