Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel underlined his rising stature on the global stage with an impressive performance on Monday, winning his heat in the men’s 400m hurdles to secure a place in the semi-finals of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The 21-year-old clocked 48.37 seconds, combining speed, control and technical precision to dominate his race. Nathaniel’s smooth execution over the barriers and powerful finish drew applause from spectators and further confirmed his growing reputation as one of the athletes to watch in this year’s championships.
American Caleb Dean followed home in 48.67s, while Brazil’s Francisco Dos Reis Viana set a personal best of 48.69s for third place.
Nathaniel’s commanding display boosts his chances of reaching the final, with his current national record placing him fifth on the world list this season. If he maintains this form, he could become Nigeria’s first-ever medallist in the men’s 400m hurdles at a World Championships.
For the young hurdler, this performance is more than just progression into the next round, it signals a potential breakthrough moment in his career. With every race, Nathaniel is edging closer to establishing himself among the world’s elite and inspiring the next generation of Nigerian track athletes.