Team Nigeria’s history-making feat in the track and field events in the Paris 2024 Olympics isn’t looking to end anytime soon, as Samuel Ogazi equalled a 36-year record to qualify for the final of the men’s 400-meter race.
The 18-year-old quarter-miler ran a new personal best (PB) time of 44.41 seconds at Stade de France on Tuesday to finish third in Heat 3 of the 400m semifinals.
Ogazi’s strong performance helped him pen his name in the history books as he became the first Nigerian since Innocent Egbunike in the Seoul 1988 Games to qualify for the 400m final at the Olympics.
The teenager, who came up against some big names, proved he was brave enough to compete, securing one of the non-automatic spots to advance to the final.
Great Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith won the semifinal in 44.07s, while Michael Norman of the United States crossed the line in second place, clocking a time of 44.26s.
Meanwhile, Ogazi will be joined in the final by Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga, who set a new national record of 43.81s in heat 2 of the men’s 400m semifinal.
Samukonga became the third African athlete to break the 44-second mark at least twice in his career, joining South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk, who is the reigning world record holder and Olympic champion, and Isaac Makwala of Botswana.
The Zambian finished behind Kirani James of Grenada, who ran a season’s best (SB) time of 43.78s, while American athlete Christopher Bailey finished third in 44.31s.
FULL LIST OF MEN’S 400M FINALISTS
Kirani James – Grenada
Muzala Samukonga – Zambia
Quincy Hall – United States
Matthew Hudson-Smith – Great Britain
Michael Norman – United States
Christopher Bailey – United States
Jereem Richards – Trinidad and Tobago
Samuel Ogazi – Nigeria
