Ogazi Storms to Fifth Sub-45 in 2026, Qualifies for SEC 400m Final; Godbless, Ajayi Out!
Samuel Ogazi continued his remarkable 2026 season by racing to his fifth sub-45 seconds performance of the year, clocking 44.96 to win his heat and secure automatic qualification for the SEC outdoor 400m final.
The 20-year-old Nigerian, who recently broke Innocent Egbunike’s national record with a 44.02, claimed the lone automatic ticket in heat 2.
His time was the second fastest qualifier, just behind Justin Braun of Florida, who ran 44.85 to win heat 1.
In contrast, Nigeria’s sprinters in the women’s 100m fell short of expectations.
Tima Godbless ran 11.40 in the sixth and final heat, failing to advance to the final. Compatriots Adeloye Aladeloye (11.57) and Precious Nzeakor (11.64) also missed out, finishing 30th and 34th overall in the classification.
The men’s 100m produced similar disappointment.
Kanyinsola Ajayi ran 10.21 to place second in his heat behind Auburn teammate Tyler Davis, who also clocked 10.21 but was declared the winner after timing to the thousandths showed Davis at 10.203 and Ajayi at 10.209, a difference of just 0.006 seconds.
Ajayi failed to advance, while Adekalu Fakorede kept ‘Nigerian’ hopes alive by running 10.19 to place second behind Denzel Simusialela (10.16). Fakorede progressed as one of the four fastest non-automatic qualifiers.
Elsewhere, LSU’s John Caleb also missed out, finishing sixth in the same heat as Fakorede with a time of 10.47.
