Nigeria’s medal prospects at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo received a major boost on Thursday, as Ezekiel Nathaniel booked a spot in the men’s 400m hurdles final.
Nathaniel clocked an impressive 47.47 seconds in the semi-final, the fastest overall, to raise hopes of Nigeria securing a second medal at the championships following Tobi Amusan’s silver in the women’s 100m hurdles.
The 22-year-old also etched his name in history as the first Nigerian since 1987 to reach the World Championships 400m hurdles final.
Nigeria’s resurgence in the hurdles comes on the heels of Amusan’s remarkable performance, where she clinched silver in 12.29 seconds to deliver the country’s first medal in Tokyo.
Her feat was rewarded with $35,000 from World Athletics and a $20,000 bonus from the team’s kit sponsors.
In the men’s shot put, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi produced a season’s best of 21.52 metres to finish fifth overall in a closely contested final, after qualifying with 20.83 metres.
Meanwhile, in the men’s 200 metres, Udodi Onwuzurike ran 20.26 seconds in his semi-final but placed seventh and failed to advance, in spite of a strong showing in the earlier heats.
Other Nigerian athletes, including Chioma Onyekwere-Lyons and Obiageri Amaechi in the women’s discus, as well as Sade Olatoye in the hammer throw, exited at the qualification stage.
Nigeria currently sits with one silver medal through Amusan, while Nathaniel’s qualification presents another opportunity as the championships enter the decisive. (NAN)