Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel delivered another outstanding performance in his breakout season, setting a new national record in the men’s 400m hurdles final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Afrosport reports.
The 22-year-old clocked 47.11 seconds — the fastest ever by a Nigerian over the distance — to finish fourth, narrowly missing out on a podium place by just 0.05s. In the process, he beat two-time Olympic medallist Karsten Warholm, who had to settle for fifth.
Rai Benjamin, the reigning Olympic gold medallist, claimed his maiden world title in 46.54 seconds. Olympic bronze medallist Alison dos Santos took silver in 46.84, while Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba secured bronze with 47.06.
46.54s!!🔥🔥
Rai Benjamin 🇺🇸 is the World 400mH Champion!!
He won in 46.54s from Alison dos Santos 🇧🇷 in 46.84s, while Abderrahman Samba 🇶🇦 was 3rd in 47.06s.
Ezekiel Nathaniel 🇳🇬 was 4th in a National Record of 47.11s ahead of Karsten Warholm 🇳🇴. pic.twitter.com/in3dn9im6v
— Track & Field Gazette (@TrackGazette) September 19, 2025
Drama followed the race as Benjamin was initially disqualified for displacing a hurdle. However, after a successful appeal by USA Track & Field (USATF), the 28-year-old American was reinstated and confirmed as world champion.
