‘Ogazi Can Rewrite 400m History’: Okorie Tips Nigerian to Become World’s Best

Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Performance Director and Athletes Liaison, Victor Okorie, has made a bold prediction that African athletes will dominate the men’s 400m at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, identifying Nigeria’s Samuel Ogazi and Botswana’s Collen Kebinatshipi as leading figures in the continent’s emerging generation of quarter-milers.

Okorie believes Ogazi, whose personal best stands at 43.38 seconds, has the potential to become one of the greatest 400m runners in athletics history and dominate the event for the next decade.

In a strongly worded assessment of the Nigerian’s prospects, the AFN official described the young quarter-miler as a generational talent whose best performances are still ahead of him.

He said Ogazi’s youth, natural ability, technical development, competitive intelligence and room for improvement made him one of the most exciting prospects in world athletics.

‘I am more convinced than ever that Samuel Ogazi is the man to beat in the men’s 400m over the next decade,’ Okorie declared.

‘I firmly believe that Samuel possesses the extraordinary potential to become the greatest men’s 400m runner of the 21st century and possibly one of the greatest in the history of track and field.’

Okorie stressed that his assessment was based on his evaluation of the athlete’s ability and potential, rather than any commercial interest or possible sponsorship arrangement.

He also challenged the United States and other traditional powers in the event to prepare for a shift in the balance of power, insisting that Africa has the talent and determination to take control of the men’s one-lap event.

‘For decades, the United States has been a powerhouse in the men’s 400m, producing legendary champions. We respect that history, but history does not guarantee future victories,’ he said.

‘The men’s 400m belongs to Africa, and at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, I predict that African athletes will dominate the event.’

He identified Ogazi and Kebinatshipi as two of the athletes capable of spearheading that continental challenge.

Okorie’s prediction represents a significant vote of confidence in the rising African quarter-milers, although the challenge of translating their individual potential into Olympic dominance will be tested against the world’s established 400m powers.

He described Los Angeles 2028 as a possible turning point for African athletics and urged the global track and field community to take note of Ogazi’s name.

‘Samuel Ogazi is not simply the future of Nigerian athletics. He has the potential to become the face of the men’s 400m worldwide for the next ten years,’ he added.

‘Samuel Ogazi, a generational talent. Africa is coming. Los Angeles 2028, get ready!’