Ezekiel Nathaniel gets Team Nigeria into another final in Tokyo
...Against all odds, Udodi Onwuzurike, runs into Men's 200m semifinal
...Clocks 15th fastest time in the heats
By Maxwell Kumoye
Team Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel produced an imperial and dominant run on Wednesday evening in far away Tokyo, the Japanese capital to win his semi final in the men’s 400m hurdles at the World Athletics Championships.
Ezekiel Nathaniel stormed to victory in the second semi final of the men’s 400m hurdles at the Tokyo 2025 World Championships, clocking 47.47s to reach the final.
He had run 48.37s to reach the semi final.
His controlled hurdles technique and strong finish left spectators at the capacity stadium on their feet.
He finished ahead of Ismail Abakar who set a Personal Best of 47.61s, with Caleb Dean 3rd in 47.85s.
This year has, been very exciting and equally rewarding for Nathaniel, he broke Nigeria’s national record five times, lowering it to 47.31s, and he arrives in Tokyo ranked fifth in the world.
He is the first man from Nigeria to make the event final at the World Championships since Henry Amike did it in 1987 in Rome, Italy and finished 6th in a time of 48.63s.
His consistency and impressive runs have made him one of the genuine medal contenders in Friday's final.
Karsten Warholm, Alison Dos Santos, Rai Benjamin, Abderrahman Samba and Emil Agyekum are the other heavyweights in the final.
Meanwhile, Nigeria's Udodi Chudi Onwuzurike has advanced into the semifinal of the Men's 200m event at the 2025 World Athletics Championship, going on in Tokyo, Japan.
The 22 year Onwuzurike, reached the semifinal from heat three, in a time of 20.27s, behind Kenneth Bednarek of USA who stopped the clock at 19.98.
Udodi Onwuzurike' time of 20.27 is .10 off his Season's Best of 20.17. His Personal Best stands at 19.76s.
The keenly contested, semifinal heats produced, five sub 20, led by Bryan Levell of Jamaica.
Zimbabwe's Tapiwanashe Makarawu, was the second fastest in the heats with 19.91. He was followed by three other Americans Courtney Lindsey, 19.95, Kenneth Bednarek, 19.98 and 100m bronze medalist, Noah Lyles, 19.99.
Four other Africans also made it to the semifinal, Makanakaishe Charamba of Zimbabwe, the fastest in that distance this season, Letsile Tebogo, he returned a time of 20.18,
33 year old South African Wayde Van Niekerk, who is the record holder in the 400m also made it to the semifinal alongside fellow countryman, Sinesipho Dambile, who had a photo finish with Udodi Onwuzurike.
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