Ezekiel Nathaniel
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Born | 20 June 2003 |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Track and Field |
| Event | 400 metres hurdles |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal bests | 400m hurdles: 47.49 (Eugene, 2025) Indoors 400m: 44.74 (Lubbock, 2025) AR |
Ezekiel Nathaniel (born 20 June 2003)[1] is a Nigerian sprinter and 400 metres hurdler. In 2025, he set an African indoor record over 400 metres. He won the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships over 400 metres hurdles.
Career
Nathaniel studied at Baylor University in Texas. In May 2022, during his freshman year, he ran the 400 metres hurdles in a personal best time of 48.42, winning the Big 12 Conference title and breaking the Nigerian record set by Henry Amike in 1987.[1][2][3] Subsequently at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, he ran his first-round heat in 49.64, qualifying for the semi finals.[1][4]
In Budapest, competing at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in August 2023, he reached the semi finals.[5]
He competed at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris in August 2024, in the 400 metres hurdles, reaching the semi-finals.[6][7] He also competed in the men's 4 × 400 m relay at the Games.[8]
He won the men’s 400 metres in an African indoor record of 44.74 to move to eighth on the world indoor all-time list at the Southeastern Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships in Texas on 1 March 2025.[9] He set a meet record of 47.89 seconds to win the 400 metres hurdles at the Big 12 Conference finals in May 2025 to win the title for the second consecutive year.[10] In June 2025, he also won the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships 400 metres title in Eugene, Oregon in a time of 47.49 seconds ahead of Ja'Qualon Scott.[11][12] He was named men's track athlete of the year at the 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field National Awards.[13]
He placed third in the 400 metres hurdles at the 2025 Prefontaine Classic on 5 July behind Alison Dos Santos and Rai Benjamin.[14]
References
- ^ a b c Ezekiel Nathaniel at World Athletics
- ^ Oluwadare Popoola (16 May 2022). "Ezekiel Nathaniel breaks Henry Amike's 35-year-old 400mH NR to win Big 12 title in Texas!". Making of Champions. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- ^ Remi Sulola (16 May 2022). "Nathaniel Ezekiel breaks 34-year Nigerian record in 400m". The Cable. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- ^ James Agberebi (17 July 2022). "World Athletics Championships: Nathaniel Becomes 4th Nigerian To Reach 400m Hurdles Semis". Complete Sports. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
- ^ "Men's 400m Hurdles Results: World Athletics Championships 2023". Watch Athletics. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
- ^ "Men's 400m Hurdles Results - Paris Olympic Games 2024 Athletics". Watch Athletics. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ "AFN lists 35 track-and-field athletes for Olympics". punchng.com. 7 July 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ "Men's 4 x 400 Metres Relay - Paris Olympic Games 2024 Athletics". Watch Athletics. 10 August 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
- ^ "MacLean and Nuguse run fast miles in Boston". World Athletics. 2 March 2025. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ "TEXAS TECH ADDS ANOTHER SWEEP OF BIG 12 TEAM TITLES". Runnerspace. 18 May 2025. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ^ Nelson, Matt (13 June 2025). "Tapiwanashe Makarawu speeds to shocking victory at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships". Olympics.com. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ "Nathaniel, Makarawu and Mullings shine at NCAA Championships". World Athletics. 14 June 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
- ^ "2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field National Awards". ustfccca.org. 23 June 2025. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ^ "Results - Eugene Diamond League - Pre Classic 2025". Watch Athletics Weekly. 5 July 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.