Ogazi Smashes NCAA 400m Record with 43.38 World Lead

Samuel Ogazi delivered a performance for the ages at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, scorching to a lifetime best of 43.38 seconds to defend his 400m crown.

The 19-year-old Nigerian phenom not only fulfilled expectations but shattered them, setting a new world lead, championships record, and NCAA record in the process.

Ogazi’s run erased the previous collegiate mark of 43.61 seconds, set by USC’s Michael Norman in 2018, and established him as the fourth fastest man in history over the distance.

He now ranks as the second fastest African all-time, trailing only world record holder Wayde van Niekerk (43.03).

The Alabama standout, already a finalist at the Paris Olympics, has made history as the first Nigerian man to successfully defend an NCAA 400m title and the only one to win both the NCAA indoor and outdoor 400m in the same season.

Fans at Hayward Field erupted as Ogazi crossed the line, his record-breaking run adding to the drama of a championship already rich with historic performances.