Ezekiel Nathaniel ended Nigeria’s 38-year wait for a place in the final of the men’s 400m hurdles event at the World Athletics Championships after winning Heat 2 and qualifying with the fastest time on Wednesday.

The last Nigerian to do so was Henry Amike in 1987 in Italy, where he eventually finished sixth in 48.63s.

Nathaniel, Nigeria’s current record holder in the event, finished in 47.47s ahead of Qatar’s Ismail Abakar who set a PB of 47.61s, and USA’s Caleb Dean in 47.85s.

Although running from a challenging Lane 8, Nathaniel was resilient and held his own to win the race, and with the performance, may now have a podium finish in a final that has top contenders like Brazil’s Alison Dos Santos, Norwegian, Karsten Warholm, and USA’s Rai Benjamin.

He will run the final from Lane 6 set for Friday. (Vanguard)

•Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel celebrates after competing in the men’s 400m hurdles semi-final during the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on September 17, 2025. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP)