Nigeria’s teenage sprint sensation, Samuel Ogazi, has blamed team officials for forcing him to compete while not in good shape, after his disappointing exit in the men’s 400m at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The 19-year-old quarter-miler, making his World Championships debut, clocked 45.97 seconds to finish fifth in heat three.
Read Also: Spectrum FC; A Household Name in Football Industry In Nigeria
This far off his personal best of 44.41s.
He confessed that he was diagnosed with COVID-19 and also had issues with his hamstrings, the resoan for his below par outcome.
The heat was won by American Jacory Patterson in a blistering 43.90s, with Jamaica’s Rusheen McDonald (44.38s) and Italy’s Edoardo Scotti (44.45s) taking the automatic qualification slots.
Botswana’s Collen Kebinatshipi (44.48s) advanced as a fastest loser, while Ogazi ranked 41st overall out of 48 competitors.
Speaking after the race, Ogazi expressed frustration, revealing he had repeatedly told officials he was unfit.
“I told Team Nigeria officials I wasn’t prepared because my hamstring was bothering me, but they still insisted I should run. I did what I could, and that’s the outcome,” he said.
The University of Alabama athlete, who won the 2025 NCAA 400m title, explained that he aggravated his hamstring during a light training session in Tokyo, just days before his race.
Despite informing medical staff and requesting to withdraw, he said he was compelled to compete.
“I told them a day before, ‘I’m not prepared for this.’ During the warm-up, I told the doctor I wasn’t ready. Right now, I’m not healthy and strong,” Ogazi added.
The sprinter also disclosed that his condition may have been compounded by recent illness.
“Maybe coupled with the fact that I was diagnosed with COVID two weeks ago, I don’t know. But yeah, I wasn’t in good shape,” he noted.
Despite the disappointment, Ogazi reflected positively on his breakout season.
This included winning the NCAA championship in 44.43s, breaking into the world’s top 15, and securing a bronze medal at the African Championships in Douala.
Nigeria’s 400m campaign ended in further frustration as compatriot Chidi Okezie also failed to advance, finishing seventh in his heat with 45.66s to place 39th overall.
