Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel will be looking to secure the country’s second medal at the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Tokyo when he lines up in the men’s 400 metres hurdles final on Friday, Bold Sports reports.
So far, Team Nigeria have collected just one medal at the championships, with Tobi Amusan earning silver in the women’s 100 metres hurdles on Monday. Nathaniel now has the chance to join her on the podium after a series of impressive performances.
The 22-year-old has been one of Nigeria’s standout athletes in Tokyo. He won his opening heat in 48.37 seconds and followed it up with a commanding semifinal victory in 47.47 seconds. That result carried added significance as it made him the first Nigerian man to reach the final of the 400 metres hurdles at the World Championships since Henry Amike achieved the feat in Rome in 1987.
Nathaniel will run from lane six in the final, where he faces a star-studded lineup that includes the event’s biggest names. World number one Karsten Warholm of Norway, world number two Rai Benjamin of the United States, and world number three Alison dos Santos of Brazil — often dubbed the “big three” — will all be in the race.
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Also competing are Caleb Dean of the USA, Emil Agyekum of Germany, and Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba and Ismail Doudai Abakar, both of whom have shown fine form throughout the championships. The final is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Nigerian time.
Friday’s schedule features a packed programme with the women’s 100 metres hurdles (heptathlon), women’s high jump (heptathlon), women’s javelin throw, men’s 5000 metres heats, women’s shot put (heptathlon), women’s 800 metres semifinals, men’s triple jump final, women’s 400 metres hurdles final, women’s 200 metres (heptathlon), and the men’s and women’s 200 metres finals.
For Nathaniel, however, the spotlight will firmly be on his historic run as he looks to step onto the global podium and deliver another proud moment for himself and Nigeria.
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