Nigeria’s teenage sprint sensation, Samuel Ogazi, has accused national team officials of forcing him to compete in the men’s 400m despite battling a hamstring injury, leading to his early exit from the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Ogazi Struggles in Championship Debut
Competing in his first-ever World Championships, the 19-year-old University of Alabama quarter-miler finished fifth in heat three with a time of 45.97 seconds — well outside his personal best of 44.41s.
The race was won by American Jacory Patterson in a world-class 43.90s, followed by Jamaica’s Rusheen McDonald (44.38s) and Italy’s Edoardo Scotti (44.45s), who secured automatic qualifying spots. Botswana’s Collen Kebinatshipi (44.48s) advanced as a fastest loser, leaving Ogazi ranked 41st overall out of 48 competitors.
“I Warned Them I Wasn’t Fit” — Ogazi
After the disappointing run, Ogazi revealed that he had informed Nigerian officials about his injury but was still ordered to race.
“I told team Nigeria officials I wasn’t prepared for this race because my hamstring was bothering me, but they still insisted I should run. I did what I could, and that’s the outcome,” Ogazi told reporters.
The sprinter explained that while he had felt ready before traveling to Tokyo, his condition worsened during a light training session.
“On Monday back home, I had a very good practice. I felt ready. But when I arrived in Tokyo and went for a shakeout, I felt a tweak in my hamstring. I told them a day before the race I wasn’t prepared, but they still told me to line up,” he added.
Health Struggles Added to Injury Concerns
Ogazi also disclosed that his fitness may have been affected by a recent bout of COVID-19.
“Maybe coupled with the fact that I was diagnosed with COVID two weeks ago, I don’t know. But I wasn’t in good shape,” he admitted.
Despite his protests, Ogazi said he was not allowed to withdraw, even after alerting the team doctor during warm-up.
A Breakthrough Season Cut Short
Although Tokyo ended in disappointment, the 2025 NCAA champion reflected on what he called a “superb” season. Earlier in the year, he clinched the NCAA 400m title with a season’s best of 44.43s, earning a place among the world’s top 15 sprinters.
The youngster has also enjoyed continental and global recognition, winning bronze at the African Championships in Douala and reaching the final of the Paris Olympics.
Nigeria’s 400m Hopes Dashed
Ogazi had been touted as one of Nigeria’s brightest medal hopes in Tokyo. However, his campaign ended in the heats after a slow reaction (0.310) left him trailing from the start.
Nigeria’s second entrant, Chidi Okezie, also failed to progress, finishing seventh in his heat in 45.66s, ranking 39th overall.
For Nigerian athletics, the men’s 400m remains a missed opportunity on the world stage.
