The 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo brought excitement and historic moments for Nigerian athletes. From medals to record-breaking runs, here are the standout performers:
Ezekiel Nathaniel (400m Hurdles)
Nathaniel enjoyed a breakout season, smashing Nigerian and African indoor records, winning the NCAA title, and taking bronze at the Diamond League Final. In Tokyo, he clocked 47.11s to finish fourth in the men’s 400m hurdles final – the best result by a Nigerian man in the event in 38 years.
Tobi Amusan (100m Hurdles)
Nigeria’s biggest highlight came from Amusan, who won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles. She ran 12.29s in the final, just behind Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji. Earlier in the season, she set a meet record in Rabat and ran her season’s best of 12.24s in Paris. Amusan now has two World Championships medals to her name.
Konyinsola Ajayi (100m)
Ajayi became the first Nigerian in 18 years to reach the men’s 100m final. The 21-year-old ran a personal best of 9.88s in the heats, making him the third-fastest Nigerian in history. He later finished sixth in the final with 10.00s.
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi (Shot Put)
Enekwechi once again showed consistency on the global stage. He placed fifth in Tokyo with a 21.52m throw. Earlier this year, he made history at the Prefontaine Classic with a record-breaking 22.10m – the first African to cross the 22m barrier in shot put.
Israel Okon (100m)
At just 18, Okon impressed on his World Championships debut. He ran 10.04s to win his heat ahead of Olympic champion Lamont Jacobs, before bowing out in the semi-finals. He remains one of Nigeria’s brightest sprint prospects.
Honourable Mentions
Other rising stars in 2025 include Temitope Adeshina (NCAA high jump champion), Tima Godbless (broke the 11s barrier in the 100m), and several NCAA athletes like Olaolu Olatunde and Charles Godfred.
In summary: Nigeria’s 2025 season ended with records, medals, and new stars emerging, raising hopes for even bigger achievements in the years ahead.
