In a thrilling 400m final that showcased the depth of Nigerian sprinting talent, Emmanuel Ojeli of Rivers State stole the spotlight with a golden performance, clocking a new Personal Best (PB) of 45.58 seconds to clinch 1st place in his season-opening race.
Running his first 400m of the year, Ojeli delivered a composed and powerful finish to outclass a stacked field and claim the gold medal in a dramatic final. The race, held under optimal conditions, proved to be a showcase of top-tier talent, with all three podium finishers recording personal bests.
Gafar Badmus of Ogun State, who had already impressed with a PB of 45.65s in the semifinals, went even faster in the final with 45.62s to take the silver medal. The youngster’s back-to-back personal bests are a clear indication of his upward trajectory in the one-lap event.
Meanwhile, Victor Sampson of Akwa Ibom capped off the podium with an eye-catching run of 45.80s, also a lifetime best. Sampson’s strong finish confirmed his arrival among Nigeria’s top 400m contenders.
This race not only marks a major milestone for Ojeli but also signals a new era of competition in Nigerian 400m sprinting, with three athletes dipping under 46 seconds and pushing each other to career-best performances.
With the 2025 season just beginning, Nigeria’s quarter-mile prospects are already heating up — and Emmanuel Ojeli has fired the first warning shot.
