Ogazi Smashes 44-Second Barrier With Historic 43.95 World Lead
Adisa Rhoda Sets New Nigerian 800m Record at SEC Outdoors
Samuel Ogazi made history at the SEC Outdoor Championships in Auburn by running a blistering 43.95 seconds to defend his men’s 400m title, becoming the first Nigerian ever to break the 44-second barrier.
The 20-year-old, already the reigning NCAA indoor and outdoor 400m champion, produced a lifetime best to defeat Jordan Pierre, who ran a personal best of 44.12, and Jonathan Simms, who clocked 44.16.
Ogazi’s time is not only a world lead but also the first sub-44 second 400m performance globally this year.
He now joins an elite group as the sixth African man to dip under 44 seconds in the event.
Meanwhile, Adisa Rhoda of Mississippi State University set a new Nigerian record in the women’s 800m.
She ran 2:01.56 to finish seventh in the final, surpassing Fatimoh Mohammed’s previous mark of 2:01.89.
Rhoda’s breakthrough has raised hopes that she could become the first Nigerian woman to break the two-minute barrier in the event.
Nigeria’s presence was also felt in the sprints. Israel Okon ran 20.52 to place fifth in the 200m, while Adekalu Fakorede clocked 10.12 to finish fourth in the 100m final.
