Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel has secured a historic bronze medal in the men’s 400m hurdles at the World Athletics Championships after the dramatic disqualification of America’s Rai Benjamin.
Nathaniel, 21, clocked a blistering 47.11 seconds, setting a new Nigerian national record and etching his name into history as the country’s first-ever medalist in the event.
Read Also: Yakubu Aiyegbeni Slams Super Eagles Over Lack Of Team Work, Poor Passing Ratio
The young hurdler ran with remarkable composure on the global stage, powering through a star-studded field and even finishing ahead of Norway’s Olympic champion and former world record holder, Karsten Warholm.
Initially, Rai Benjamin of the United States claimed gold with a time of 46.54 seconds, followed by Brazil’s Alison dos Santos in 46.84 seconds, and Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba in 47.06 seconds.
However, Benjamin was later disqualified for displacing a hurdle and impeding another athlete, which reshuffled the podium and upgraded Nathaniel to bronze.
This moment represents both triumph and history for Nigeria. Nathaniel’s time not only shattered his previous national record but also confirmed him among the fastest men ever in the event.
It also ends a 38-year drought since Henry Amike last reached the World Championships final in 1987, where he placed sixth.
Nathaniel’s journey from collegiate competitions in the United States to global stardom highlights his hard work and Nigeria’s growing influence on the world athletics stage.
With the Paris 2028 Olympics and future World Championships ahead, his breakthrough suggests even bigger achievements lie ahead.
At just 21, Ezekiel Nathaniel’s record-breaking bronze medal is more than a personal milestone—it is a defining chapter in Nigeria’s athletics history and a sign of brighter days to come.
