Can Nathaniel make history as first Nigerian in 28 years to win a World indoor 400m gold?

Since Sunday Olanrewaju Bada (now late) won gold, his third of three medals at the World indoor championships in 1997, no Nigerian 400m runner has inspired confidence like Nathaniel Ezekiel who is seen as one of the favorites for the event’s gold medal in Nanjing, China this weekend.

On paper, the contest for the ultimate title looks a straightforward duel, as it were, between the Nigerian and USA’s Christopher Bailey, the only man who has run faster (44.70) than Nathaniel (44.74) so far this year.

The American who has broken 45 seconds over the full lap race indoors just once this year and in his career holds a 1-0 lead over the Nigerian in head-to-head clashes. This he achieved at the NCAA indoor championships final last year when he ran 45.32 to place third ahead of Nathaniel who placed fourth (45.73).

This season, Nathaniel has broken 45 seconds twice this year and narrowly lost the NCAA indoor crown by the narrowest of margins to Will Floyd (45.43 to 45.44).

Floyd will not be in Nanjing and so is Auhmad Robinson, the man NCAA analyst, Stan Becton tipped to win the NCAA 400m title last weekend in Virginia.

Nathaniel will start his road to record books on the opening day of the Championships and will conclude his mission the nest day, a clear day before the relays start.

The Nigerian 400m indoor and 400m hurdles record holder served notice of what is to come in 2023 when he ran 45.69 over the distance.

The following year, he came agonizingly close to breaking Bada’s 45.51 African indoor record when he sped to a 45.54 finish in Clemson, South Carolina.

This year he has broken the record for the event twice, first running 44.92 last month to make history as the first African to break 45 seconds in the event.