‘The Sky Is the Limit for Samuel Ogazi’: Wiley Backs Ogazi to Reach Athletics Greatness After Historic Glasgow Triumph

Samuel Ogazi’s former University of Alabama coach, Blaine Wiley, has backed the Nigerian sprint sensation to scale even greater heights after his commanding victory in the men’s 400m at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, declaring that “the sky is the limit” for the 20-year-old.

Wiley, who watched from the stands as Ogazi stormed to victory in 44.25 seconds to claim his first senior international title, said the reigning world No. 1 has developed into one of the sport’s most remarkable talents and is capable of achieving his lofty ambitions.

‘Samuel is a remarkable athlete,’ Wiley said.

‘He made the Olympic final as an 18-year-old and has grown as an athlete and matured every year from a boy into a man.

‘For him to do what he is doing is amazing. He is very special and I am very fortunate to coach him and watch him.

‘There are a lot of great athletes out there but I believe the sky is the limit for Samuel.’

Ogazi underlined his status as one of the brightest stars in world athletics with a dominant performance at Scotstoun Stadium, powering home in 44.25 seconds.

The Nigerian finished 0.57 seconds ahead of defending champion Jereem Richards of Trinidad and Tobago, while South Africa’s Zakithi Nene settled for the bronze medal.

The triumph marked another significant milestone in the career of the Paris 2024 Olympic finalist, who arrived in Glasgow as the world No. 1 and already the fourth-fastest man in history over the one-lap event.

It was also the first senior international gold medal of his rapidly rising career.