Samuel Ogazi emerges as a promising talent for the future after achieving the second-fastest time ever recorded by a Nigerian in the 400m event, securing qualification for the Paris Olympic Games.
Ogazi’s remarkable feat adds excitement to Nigeria’s contingent of quarter-milers set to compete in Paris, as the teenage sensation marks the fastest 400m runner since the esteemed Innocent Egbunike.
At the South Eastern Conference (SEC) Championships, Ogazi delivered a stunning performance, clocking a Personal Best (PB) of 44.58s to claim the silver medal. His achievement places him as Nigeria’s second-fastest man in history, just behind Egbunike, and also sets a National U20 record, School Record, and ranks him No.6 all-time in world U20 history.
Notably, Ogazi becomes the first Nigerian runner to secure automatic qualification for the men’s 400m event at the Olympics since Orukpe Erayokan in 2016.
With the NCAA championships and the Paris Olympic Games looming, Ogazi aims to further improve his impressive time, with aspirations to surpass Egbunike’s longstanding National Record. His emergence marks a promising future for Nigerian athletics, with hopes of a memorable performance in Paris propelling him on a trajectory toward greatness, reminiscent of the iconic Egbunike.
