Ezekiel Nathaniel (400m Hurdles)
Nathaniel enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2025, breaking the African indoor record twice, winning the NCAA title, and claiming Diamond League bronze. In Tokyo, he ran a Nigerian record 47.11s to place fourth in the 400m hurdles final, becoming the first Nigerian in 38 years to reach the final.
Tobi Amusan (100m Hurdles)
Amusan won Nigeria’s only medal in Tokyo, taking silver in 12.29s behind Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji. Earlier, she set a meet record in Rabat (12.45s) and ran a season-best 12.24s in Paris. The 28-year-old now has two World Championships medals, joining Blessing Okagbare and Ese Brume.
Konyinsola Ajayi (100m)
Ajayi became the first Nigerian in 18 years to reach the men’s 100m final, finishing sixth in 10.00s. The 21-year-old ran 9.93s in the semis and a personal best of 9.88s in the heats, ranking him the third-fastest Nigerian ever.
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi (Shot Put)
Enekwechi placed fifth in Tokyo with 21.52m, his third straight global final. In July, he set a new African record of 22.10m at the Prefontaine Classic, becoming the first African to surpass 22m.
Israel Okon (100m)
Okon, Nigeria’s national champion, fell short of the 100m final but delivered a strong season overall.
