Nigerian Quartet Set Sights on Golden Hat-trick at NCAA Championships
Nigeria is on the cusp of making history as four of its finest student-athletes—Kanyinsola Ajayi, Israel Okon, Samuel Ogazi, and Nathaniel Ezekiel—prepare to light up Hayward Field on day three of the 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
In the 100m final, all eyes will be on Ajayi, who blazed through his semifinal with a lifetime best of 9.92 seconds—his third sub-10 run in as many months. The Paris 2024 Olympic semifinalist has emerged as the frontrunner and could become only the third Nigerian to win the NCAA 100m title, following in the footsteps of Olapade Adeniken and Divine Oduduru.
He’ll be joined in the final by Okon, who matched his personal best of 10.07 to earn a well-deserved place in his first-ever NCAA final, giving Nigeria double representation in the event.
In the 400m, 19-year-old Ogazi is chasing both gold and greatness. His 44.77-second heat win qualified him for a second consecutive final, with many tipping him to upgrade last year’s silver. With Nigeria’s national record of 44.17—set in 1987 by Innocent Egbunike—within reach, Ogazi may just be ready to break the 44-second barrier.
Meanwhile, Ezekiel Nathaniel is on a mission in the 400m hurdles. Already the national record holder, he clocked an impressive 47.86 in the semis—his third sub-48 time this season. As the clear favorite, he aims to finally clinch the NCAA title on his third attempt.
Though the journey ended for high hurdler Adaobi Tabugo and long jumper Prestina Ochonogor, the promise of a triple gold haul has kept Nigerian hopes sky-high.
