Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel continued to show his class on the track as he cruised to a comfortable victory in his 400m hurdles heat at the NCAA West Prelims in Texas.
The Baylor University standout clocked a smooth 49.37 seconds to easily secure his spot in the quarterfinals scheduled for Friday.
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Nathaniel, who has consistently been one of the top collegiate hurdlers in the United States, looked composed and in control from start to finish.
His performance not only underlined his status as a title contender at the NCAA Championships but also reinforced his growing reputation on the international stage ahead of a busy summer season.
Finishing a distant second was American hurdler Mario Paul, who crossed the line in 50.15 seconds — well behind the Nigerian’s dominant pace.
With his place in the quarterfinals secured, all eyes will be on Nathaniel as he looks to maintain his winning momentum and qualify for the NCAA Championships.
His progression is being closely watched by Nigerian athletics fans, who see him as one of the country’s brightest hopes in the hurdles event.
Nathaniel is the current Nigerian record holder in the 400m hurdles and has steadily risen through the ranks since breaking onto the collegiate scene. His latest outing in Texas is another promising step toward what could be a landmark season.
The quarterfinals will take place on Friday, and Nathaniel will be aiming to continue his smooth run through the rounds with a place in the NCAA finals firmly in his sights.
