Team Nigeria boosted its athletics medal hopes at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games after Ella Onojuvwevwo, Samuel Ogazi and Edidiong Okon Udo all secured places in their respective finals that holding today.
In the women’s 400m, Ella Onojuvwevwo produced an impressive performance by winning her semi-final in 51.47 seconds to book her place in the final.
The 20-year-old qualified comfortably ahead of Wales’ Charlotte Henrich and enters the final as one of the leading contenders after recording the second fastest times across the three semi-finals.
However, Nigeria’s experienced duo of Patience Okon George and Esther Elo Joseph failed to progress after finishing fifth and sixth respectively in the opening semi-final.
In the men’s 400m, Samuel Ogazi underlined his medal credentials by winning the first semi-final in an outstanding 44.52 seconds, the fastest qualifying time of the event.
Edidiong Okon Udo also reached the final after finishing behind Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards in the third semi-final. His qualification was confirmed after Jamaica’s Antonio Watson was disqualified.
Nigeria will now have two athletes in the men’s 400m final, significantly improving the country’s chances of returning to the Commonwealth podium.
Also Commonwealth champion Ezekiel Nathaniel confirmed his status as one of the favourites for gold after winning his 400m hurdles heat in 48.69 seconds, the fastest qualifying time for the final.
England’s Jake Minshull finished second, while India’s Santhosh Tamilarasan claimed the third automatic qualification spot.
With Onojuvwevwo, Nathaniel chasing a podium finish and Ogazi and Udo targeting medals in the men’s 400m, Team Nigeria remains firmly in contention for more athletics success in Glasgow.