Ogazi set to make World Athletics Continental Tour debut in Hengelo
Samuel Ogazi is in line to make his World Athletics Continental Tour debut on Thursday and the Nigerian has been confirmed for the 400m event at the Fanny Blankers-Koen, FKB Games in Hengelo, Netherlands.
The 18 year old will also be making his debut in the European circuit as he prepares for his first appearance at the Olympics.
Ogazi has been very impressive in his first year in the American collegiate circuit, winning a silver medal at the first time of asking at the NCAA outdoor championships in Eugene, Oregon early last month.
The reigning African u18 200m and 400m champion raced thrice inside 44.60 seconds this year, including a 44.52 lifetime best to record the fastest time by a Nigerian over the distance since Innocent Egbunike ran 44.17 in August 1987 at the Weltklasse Golden League meeting in Zurich, Switzerland.
Ogazi will be hoping he makes a winning start in Hengelo as well as break the 44.35 meeting record set in 2018 by Abdalleleh Haroun of Qatar.
The Nigerian will be up against four other athletes who have broken 45 seconds this year led by USA’s Norwood Vernon who has ran 44.47 this year and holds a lifetime best of 44.26.
