Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel has secured qualification for the men’s 400 metres hurdles semifinals at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo after finishing first in his heat on Monday.
The 21-year-old, who is the national record holder in the event, crossed the line in 48.37 seconds to claim victory in the final heat of the day.
He was followed by America’s Caleb Dean, who finished in 48.67 seconds, while Brazil’s Francisco Dos Reis Viana placed third with a personal best of 48.69 seconds.
Nathaniel, maintaining composure through the opening phases of the race, produced a strong finish to edge his rivals and guarantee his place among the top contenders advancing to the next round.
His time ranked him 10th overall across all heats.
The semifinals are scheduled for Wednesday, where Nathaniel will line up against a field that includes Olympic and world medalists.
His qualification marks another step in his steady rise on the international stage and adds to Nigeria’s presence in the championships.
