Nathaniel shatters Africa’s 400m indoor record again
Paris 2024 Olympics semifinalist, Ezekiel Nathaniel, has shattered Africa’s 400m indoor record again, lowering it to 44.74secs at the 2025 Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Championship in Lubbock, Texas, USA on Saturday, The NewsNGR reports.
It comes two weeks after the 21-year-old produced a stunning 44.92s for his first African record in the 400m indoor – when he became the first man from the continent to break the 45-second barrier at the Jarvis Scott Invite also in Lubbock.
Competing in a timed final alongside Arizona State’s Jayden Davis—who had pushed him in the qualification round—Nathaniel attacked the race with intent, seizing the lead at the break with a swift 21.09secs opening lap.
He maintained his poise through to the finish, showing no signs of fatigue as he broke his previous record of 44.92s set just two weeks ago to claim gold. Davis finished second with a 44.95secs.
The Nigerian would later anchor the Baylor University men’s 4x400m relay team to its 17th overall Big 12 title, finishing with a time of 3:04.78.
Aside from setting a new African record, Nathaniel also became the eighth fastest man in the world over the distance, number six in NCAA history and also set a meet record.
Thanks to his performance, Baylor’s men finished third with 84 points behind Oklahoma State in second (87 points) and Texas Tech in first with 124 points.
The Nigerian is expected to hit the tracks again in two weeks’ time for the 2025 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships which will be held from March 14-15 at the Virginia Beach Sports Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
He is also expected to appear in the Nigerian colours at the World Indoor Championships which will be held from March 21 to 23 in Nanjing, China.
A product of the Buka Tigers Athletics Club in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Nathaniel cut his teeth in athletics in 2021 when he finished in fourth place at the World U-20 Championships in Nairobi.
He moved to the USA after his exploits in Nairobi, thanks to an offer from a coach from Baylor University.
Nathaniel made his mark in his freshman year (2022) by shattering the 34-year-old Nigerian national record set by Henry Amike in the 400m hurdles, clocking in at an impressive 48.42secs to win the Big 12 Conference title. He lowered it to 48.00secs two years later.
He reached the semi-finals of the men’s 400m hurdles at the World Championships in 2022 and 2023 before making the semis of the men’s 400m at the Paris 2024 Olympics as well.
