By Faidat Oyewale
Nigeria’s teenage 400m sensation Samuel Ogazi is on the path to becoming a world-class athlete after securing an impressive third place in his first professional race at the FBK Hengelo Games in the Netherlands.
The University of Alabama standout, who has had a series of record-breaking performances this season, clocked an impressive 45.35s, finishing just behind Botswana’s Busang Kebinatshipi (45.29s) and Germany’s Jean Paul Bredau (45.30s).
Ogazi’s breakout performances this season have been remarkable, highlighted by his lifetime best of 44.52s to finish third at the NCAA Championships. The 18-year-old has consistently lowered his personal best with each race in his first year of college in the United States.
At the African Championships in Douala, Cameroon, Ogazi also earned a bronze medal with a time of 45.47s, as Senegal’s Cheikh Tidiana Tiouf won the race in 45.23s, followed by Botswana’s Lee Eppie in 45.39s.With his recent performance in the Netherlands, Ogazi aims to further improve his form ahead of the Paris 2024 Games, where he hopes to make the final in his Olympic debut.