Nigerian Duo Ezekiel and Ajayi Ready for London Diamond League Test

Nigeria’s 400m hurdles record holder, Nathaniel Ezekiel, will make his first Diamond League appearance in his specialty this season when he lines up at the London Athletics Meet, the 11th stop of the 2026 Wanda Diamond League series, this weekend.

Ezekiel, who reached the final of the men’s 400m hurdles at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, returns to the Diamond League circuit looking to reignite his campaign and strengthen his bid for qualification to the series final in Brussels this September.

The 23-year-old will be chasing his second career Diamond League victory, having claimed a memorable maiden triumph at the Athletissima meeting in Lausanne last year. Currently without a point in this year’s standings, victory in London would significantly boost his chances of securing one of the coveted places in the Diamond League Final.

Ezekiel heads into the meeting in impressive form, having recorded a season’s best of 47.37 seconds in Texas last month. The performance ranks him third on the 2026 world list and puts him within striking distance of another historic milestone as he seeks to become the first Nigerian man to break the 47-second barrier in the 400m hurdles.

Also listed for the London meeting is Nigerian sprint sensation Kanyinsola Ajayi, who continues to establish himself among the sport’s emerging stars following a string of outstanding performances this season.

Ajayi announced himself on the Diamond League stage with an impressive outing at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene earlier this month, confirming that the form which earned him NCAA indoor and outdoor success is translating seamlessly onto the global circuit.

The 21-year-old will be making his first Diamond League appearance in London, although he made his debut in the series at the Eugene meeting. A strong performance this weekend could also enhance his chances of qualifying for the Diamond League Final in Brussels.