…Nathaniel Ezekiel clocks new PB of 47.49 seconds
Nathaniel Ezekiel delivered yet another stunning performance at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Oregon, storming to victory in the men’s 400m hurdles final with a new Personal Best and Nigerian Record of 47.49 seconds.
The Baylor University star was in a league of his own, leaving the rest of the field chasing shadows. Ja’Qualon Scott was a distant second in 48.29s, while Kody Blackwood took third in 48.66s.
Ezekiel’s time was not only a national record — his fourth of the year — but also the fastest in the NCAA this season, the second fastest time in the world in 2025, and third fastest ever in NCAA history.
It was a massive upgrade from last year’s bronze medal finish, and the latest statement in a season where the Nigerian has been rewriting the record books with every race.
More Read
Prior to the final, he had already smashed the Nigerian record three times this year — running 47.90s, 47.89s, and 47.86s — the last coming in the semifinal on Wednesday, where he obliterated the field to finish well ahead of Johnny Brackins, who clocked 50.14s.
The final was even more dominant.
With his 47.49s victory, Ezekiel also becomes the third fastest African of all time in the 400m hurdles, underlining his growing reputation on the global stage.
He was also the second Nigerian athlete on the night to win an NCAA title, following Samuel Ogazi’s victory in the men’s 400m just minutes earlier — a huge night for Nigerian athletics on one of the biggest stages in collegiate track and field. Kanyinsola Ajayi had earlier finished fourth in the men’s 100m final, while Israel Okon came seventh.
With the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on the horizon, Ezekiel’s form is arriving at the right time.
© Bold Media Innovations & Creative Hub Limited. All rights reserved. If sharing, kindly credit Bold Sports as the source and include a link to the original post. Unauthorised use is prohibited.
