Amusan, Nathaniel Set to End 2026 As Nigeria’s Top-Ranked Athletes

Tobi Amusan and Ezekiel Nathaniel are set to finish the 2026 athletics season as Nigeria’s highest-ranked female and male athletes respectively, according to the latest World Athletics rankings.

Amusan, who finished runner-up in the 100m hurdles at the World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest, Hungary, at the weekend, is on course to retain her position as Nigeria’s number one-ranked woman for another year.

The 29-year-old remains the highest-ranked Nigerian woman overall and the leading Nigerian and African athlete in the 100m hurdles. She is ranked second in the world in the event behind Masai Russell.

Amusan has accumulated 1,394 ranking points, giving her an 85-point advantage over Favour Ofili, who is second among Nigerian women on 1,309 points.

Ella Onojuvwevwo is third with 1,270 points, while Rosemary Chukwuma and Temitope Adeshina occupy fourth and fifth positions with 1,231 and 1,218 points respectively.

Amusan has consistently occupied the top spot among Nigerian women since World Athletics introduced its ranking system, and her strong 2026 season means she is poised to extend that record.

In the men’s rankings, 400m hurdles specialist Nathaniel Ezekiel narrowly leads Kanyinsola Ajayi, with just 14 points separating the pair.

Nathaniel has 1,379 points, while Ajayi, Nigeria’s 100m record holder, is second with 1,365.

Samuel Ogazi is third on 1,313 points, followed by shot put specialist Chukwuebuka Enekwechi on 1,306 and sprinter Udodi Onwuzurike on 1,258.

Nathaniel’s position at the top caps another incredible season in which he established himself among the leading 400m hurdlers in the world and secured his place in the elite field at the World Athletics Ultimate Championships.