In a stunning show of speed and dominance, Samuel Ogazi etched his name into history books on Friday night by storming to victory in the men’s 400m final at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, clocking a superb 44.84s to secure the title.
Running out of Lane 5, the University of Alabama sophomore powered through the final 100 meters to finish well ahead of the competition, with Gabriel Moronta trailing in second at 45.47s, and William Jones finishing third in 45.53s.
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Ogazi’s triumph marks a major milestone for Nigerian athletics and his university. He becomes the first Alabama athlete to win the NCAA 400m crown since the legendary Kirani James, the 2012 Olympic champion, and the second Nigerian man ever to win the NCAA Outdoor 400m title, following in the footsteps of Clement Chukwu, who last achieved the feat in 1999.
Speaking after the race, a visibly emotional Ogazi said:
> “This means everything to me. To win this title not just for Alabama but also for Nigeria – it’s a dream come true. I’ve worked so hard, and I’m just getting started.”
Ogazi’s win further underlines his growing reputation as one of the brightest young talents in global one-lap sprinting. With this commanding performance, he has not only confirmed his place among the elite in collegiate athletics but also raised expectations for a strong showing on the international stage, particularly with the Paris 2025 World Championships on the horizon.
Nigeria’s track and field community has long yearned for a resurgence in the quarter-mile, and Ogazi’s title win may well be the catalyst.
As the baton of history passes from Chukwu to Ogazi, a new era appears to be dawning — one where Nigerian sprinters can once again dream of dominating the global stage.
