Ogazi Ends 26-Year Wait for Nigeria with NCAA 400m Title

Ogazi Ends 26-Year Wait for Nigeria with NCAA 400m Title

By Admin 

 Nigeria’s Samuel Ogazi etched his name in the history books on Friday by winning the men’s 400-meter title at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, becoming the first Nigerian in 26 years to claim the crown in the event, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Competing for the University of Alabama, Ogazi delivered a stunning performance at Hayward Field, clocking 44.84 seconds to take gold — the only sub-45 time in a competitive final. His win breaks a long-standing drought for Nigeria, dating back to 1999, and reaffirms his growing reputation as one of the country’s brightest sprint talents.

William Jones of the University of Southern California finished second with a time of 45.53, while Jordan Pierre (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) took third in 45.75. Texas Tech’s DeSean Boyce and Duke’s Joseph Taylor completed the top five.

Ogazi’s triumph marks a personal milestone: his first NCAA title, having settled for silver in last year’s edition with a then-personal best of 44.52 seconds. He had already signaled his intent earlier in the week, comfortably winning his semi-final heat in 44.77, the fastest time across all qualifiers.

The 20-year-old's fluid stride, tactical race management, and explosive finish have been hallmarks of his championship run, setting him apart in a strong field and building momentum ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where he is expected to feature prominently.

Ogazi’s performance not only strengthens Nigeria’s presence on the global sprinting stage but also underscores the growing influence of African athletes in collegiate athletics across the United States.