Two Nigerians Left in Hunt for Nigeria’s First Ultimate Champion

Nigeria’s quest for its first World Athletics Ultimate champion remains alive with Ezekiel Nathaniel and Udodi Onwuzurike the country’s final hopes in Budapest.

Nathaniel faces a daunting assignment in Sunday’s 400m hurdles final after strengthening his medal hopes with an impressive semifinal run.

The Nigerian finished second behind former world record-holder Karsten Warholm to qualify for a final that brings together some of the biggest names in the event.

Nathaniel, who owns a 47.11-second personal best, will line up against Warholm, world record-holder Alison dos Santos of Brazil and American Olympic champion Rai Benjamin.

Dos Santos poses the biggest threat after recently lowering the world record to 45.80 seconds in Zurich, while Warholm remains one of the most decorated 400m hurdlers of all time.

But Nathaniel has already shown in Budapest that he can compete with the best, and he will need another exceptional performance to produce what would be a major upset and put Nigeria on top at the inaugural Ultimate Championships.

For Onwuzurike, the immediate challenge is simply reaching the final. The former world U20 champion faces a loaded 200m semifinal featuring world leader Kenneth Bednarek of the United States and Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo.

Onwuzurike has a 19.76-second personal best and must finish among the first four to advance to the final. With Kanyinsola Ajayi’s 100m campaign already over after his fourth-place finish, Nathaniel and Onwuzurike are now Nigeria’s last two shots at becoming the country’s first Ultimate champion.