Nigerian quarter-miler Ezekiel Nathaniel continued his fine form on the track as he clinched victory in the 400m hurdles quarterfinal at the NCAA West Prelims held in Texas, clocking an impressive 49.03 seconds to seal qualification for the prestigious NCAA Championships in Oregon.
Running with confidence and control, the Baylor University standout surged ahead in the final stretch to edge out a strong challenge from American athlete Johnny Brackins, who pushed Nathaniel all the way to the line and was rewarded with a new Personal Best (PB) of 49.04 seconds.
Read Also: Rukayat Returns As Nigeria Bets On Youth And Experience For 2025 Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament
Nathaniel’s victory not only confirms his place at the NCAA Championships but also reaffirms his status as one of the top collegiate hurdlers in the United States.
His winning time, although short of his own national record of 48.42s, is his fastest this season and a timely boost as the championship season intensifies.
Brackins, despite narrowly missing out on first place, showed tremendous promise with his lifetime best performance and will also advance to the national stage.
The NCAA Championships, scheduled to take place in Eugene, Oregon, promise thrilling competition, with Nathaniel expected to be a strong contender for the title.
The Nigerian, who has consistently delivered on big stages, will be aiming to improve on his past performances and possibly challenge the sub-49 second barrier once again.
Nathaniel, a former national champion and World Championships representative, continues to carry the hopes of Nigerian athletics fans, with eyes now firmly set on a podium finish in Oregon.
