Ezekiel Nathaniel became the first Nigerian athlete in 12 years to advance to the semifinals of the 400m hurdles at the Olympics.
The 21-year-old, who is making his Olympic debut in Paris, clocked an impressive 48.38 seconds to secure second place in his heat, marking his fourth-fastest time ever.
Ezekiel’s achievement is a significant milestone for Nigerian athletics.
The last Nigerian to reach the semifinals in this event was Amaechi Morton during the London 2012 Olympics.
Before Morton, the legendary Henry Amike made it to the semifinals and finals at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics.
Ezekiel’s journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable.
Born on June 20, 2003, in Delta State, Nathaniel comes from an athletic family and was inspired by the national team coach who trained his siblings.
Ezekiel’s siblings, Samson, and Glory were also track and field athletes. They represented Nigeria at different times.
As per Pulse sports, he began his athletic career in 2019 but faced early challenges, initially taking a break after struggling with the 100-meter race.
However, he later discovered his endurance strengths, leading him to the 400m hurdles.
By 2020, Nathaniel had begun serious training with the Buka Tigers Athletics Club in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
His breakthrough came in 2021 when he finished fourth at the World U20 Championships in Nairobi.
This performance caught the attention of a coach from Baylor University, USA, where he continued his development from January 2022.
Ezekiel quickly made his mark at Baylor, breaking the Nigerian national record in the 400m hurdles with a time of 48.42 seconds, winning the Big 12 Conference title,
He competed at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, reaching the semi-finals in his first attempt. .
Furthermore, Ezekiel repeated his semifinal appearance at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.
In 2023 and 2024, Nathaniel secured bronze medals at the NCAA Outdoor Championships and contributed to Baylor’s record-setting 4×400m relay team.
His personal best of 48.00 seconds, achieved in May 2024 at the Big 12 Conference Championships, stands as a testament to his rapid progress and exceptional talent.
Ezekiel’s journey is not only a personal triumph but also a beacon of hope for Nigerian athletics.
Ezekiel demonstrated that with determination and perseverance, athletes can break barriers and achieve greatness on the world stage.
He currently attends Baylor University in Texas.