Sports
Nigerian blazes to historic 400m hurdles final
The fresh Baylor University graduate stormed to victory in the second semi-final, clocking 47.47s, the fastest time of all the three semi-finals, to secure his place in Friday’s showpiece.
Nathaniel crossed the line ahead of Qatar’s Ismail Doudai Abakar, who ran a personal best of 47.61, while American Caleb Dean finished third in 47.85.
Despite recording a slower reaction time off the blocks compared to his closest rivals, he produced a strong middle phase and surged clear over the final two hurdles. His powerful finish left Abakar and Dean trailing, while Jamaica’s Malik James-King and Brazil’s Matheus Lima could not keep pace despite season-best performances.
It was Nigerian’s second-fastest time ever, just behind his 47.31s national record he set exactly a month ago, which means he now occupies the top 16 of the country’s top list.
This achievement comes after two consecutive heartbreaks at the semi-final stage in previous editions of the World Championships in Oregon and Budapest, making his breakthrough in Tokyo all the more significant.
He is only the second Nigerian after Henry Amike to reach a World Championships final in the 400 metres hurdles. Amike achieved the feat in Rome in 1987, long before Nathaniel was born, and the young hurdler will now aim to surpass Amike’s fourth-place finish by becoming the first Nigerian to win a medal in the event.
Success in the final would also deliver Nigeria’s second podium in Tokyo, following Tobi Amusan’s silver in the women’s sprint hurdles.
In the other semi-finals, Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba edged past world record holder Karsten Warholm of Norway in 47.63s, with Warholm clocking 47.72s and Germany’s Emil Agyekum setting a personal best of 47.83s.
The final heat was won by American Rai Benjamin in 47.95s, with Brazil’s Olympic champion Alison dos Santos second in 48.16s and Qatar’s Bassem Hemeida producing a lifetime best of 48.29s for third.
Nathaniel’s qualification has placed him among the world’s best in a final that will also feature Warholm, Benjamin and dos Santos, a trio often described as the dominant forces of the discipline with the ‘Big 3’ tag.
The 22-year-old has been touted as one of the stars to keep an eye on in the event, also had few but punchy words for the established names.
“I’m not going to say too much. We have seen their potential, and I’m still scratching the surface, so they better be ready,” he told Making of Champions.
By running the fastest semi-final time, He has signalled that he is ready to challenge them and compete for a place on the podium.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) says it will no longer pay athletes training grants in foreign currency.
The development came after sprinter, Kayinsola Ajayi, alleged foul play regarding the disbursement of training grants by the Commission.
Head of NSC’s Elite Athletes Development and Podium Board, Yusuf Alli, told Tidesports source on Friday that it was wrong of Ajayi to rubbish the good intention of the NSC, saying: “I have been in athletics for over 40 years now, and this current NSC Board, led by Mallam Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade, has done what others could not do. So far, the NSC has spent over N200 million in payment of training grants for athletes ahead the 2026 Commonwealth Games and preparation for Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.”
The NSC sourced the money from the private sector. It has never happened before. “I expected the athletes to encourage the NSC so that it can do more instead of raising unnecessary alarm and making allegations that is capable of discouraging them (NSC) and even the sponsors. It takes good initiative and trust for sports administrators in Nigeria to convince sponsors to donate money for welfare of athletes,” he said.
Speaking further, Alli, whose long jump record of 8.27m set in 1989 (35 years ago) is still unbroken, said: “We have decided that henceforth, all payment of training grants will be in Naira. No more payment of grants in U.S. dollars. We are Nigerians, and everyone knows that the exchange rate is not stable. As at the time Ajayi got his money, the rate of dollars to Naira may have changed
“I expected him to make a call either to myself or anybody in the Elite Board, or even the NSC to find out what happened instead of resorting to such allegation.
“If we make payment in Naira, any athlete who wants to convert his or her money to any foreign currency can tell their people back home to do so. I am sure this will solve the problem. If anybody wants to know how much he is entitled to, he must first of all find out the category that he or she belongs to.”
Alli disclosed that coaches, who train the athletes would soon get their grant. “They train the athletes, and the NSC feel is it not proper to leave them out in payment of grants. We have compiled their names, and very soon, the coaches would get their money,” Alli stated.
The chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League, Gbenga Elegbeleye, has directed that a minute’s silence be observed before kick-off at all Matchday 30 fixtures this weekend in honour of former Green Eagles captain Henry Nwosu, following the death of the former midfielder at the age of 62.
In a statement made available to Tidesports source on Saturday, the league body confirmed that the tribute would be held across all matches to recognise the contribution of the former international to Nigerian football.
Elegbeleye described Nwosu’s passing as both a personal loss and a painful moment for the country’s club football community.
Nwosu, who was the youngest member of Nigeria’s squad that won the 1980 African Cup of Nations, died in the early hours of Saturday at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Ikeja after a brief illness.
The former midfielder had reportedly spent several days in hospital receiving intensive care before his death.
Elegbeleye said the late footballer was more than a colleague within the sport, describing him as someone with whom he had maintained a long-standing personal relationship dating back to his time at the National Sports Commission.
He said the former national team star had remained supportive of him in various moments of his career, including when he was nominated for the Pitch Football Awards.
Reflecting on Nwosu’s legacy, the NPFL chairman said the news represented the loss of a major figure in Nigerian football, noting that the former midfielder distinguished himself not only at club level but also later contributed to the development of the domestic game as a coach.
Elegbeleye said the death of the former international was “the death of a true ambassador of the domestic and national team football because he not only made his mark as a player in league clubs, but he also coached some of the league clubs.”
He added that death remained a submission to the will of God and prayed for the repose of Nwosu’s soul while urging strength for his family as they mourn the loss of their loved one.
Earlier confirmation of the former midfielder’s death came from former Nigeria international Segun Odegbami, who revealed that Nwosu died after spending five days in hospital. Odegbami said the former player passed away at about four o’clock in the morning at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment in intensive care.
“It is with deep pain in my heart that I have to be the conveyor of the news of the death of Henry Nwosu MON,” Odegbami said.
“After five days in hospital battling for his life, the one I call ‘Youngest Millionaire’ passed on at four o’clock this morning at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, where he had been in intensive care since Wednesday. May he rest peacefully with our Creator in heaven”.
At the club level, the former international spent most of his career in Nigeria, starring for New Nigeria Bank FC of Benin City and African Continental Bank FC of Lagos during a period when both sides were among the dominant forces in domestic football. His performances later earned him moves abroad, where he also played for ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast and Racing FC Bafoussam of Cameroon.
