Nigeria’s sprint sensation Samuel Ogazi endured a heartbreaking debut at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo after crashing out of the men’s 400m heats under distressing circumstances.
The 19-year-old, hailed as one of Nigeria’s brightest sprint hopes, revealed he was forced to compete despite battling a hamstring injury and lingering health issues.
The University of Alabama star finished fifth in his heat with 45.97 seconds, far from his season’s best of 44.43. The race was dominated by American Jacory Patterson, who clocked 43.90, while Jamaica’s Rusheen McDonald and Italy’s Edoardo Scotti secured automatic spots. Ogazi, however, ranked 41st overall, visibly hampered by pain and frustration.
Forced to run despite injury
ALSO READ:
- Kanyinsola Ajayi makes history as first Nigerian in 18 years to reach World Championships 100m final
- Tobi Amusan: An Athletics Champion Par Excellence
- Armand Duplantis soars to 13th World Record in Pole Vault
- Shock as sprint star Favour Ofili dumps Nigeria to represent Turkey
Speaking after his elimination, Ogazi shared a damning account of his ordeal. According to him, Nigerian officials insisted he run despite repeated warnings.
“First of all, I told team Nigeria officials I wasn’t prepared for this race because my hamstring was bothering me, but they still insisted that I should go run,” he said with visible emotion.
The NCAA champion recalled how he initially felt fit earlier in the week, only to tweak his hamstring during a light session after arriving in Tokyo.
He pleaded to be withdrawn on the eve of the race, but his appeals fell on deaf ears. “During the warm-up, I told the doctor, ‘I’m not ready.’ I know I’m not feeling healthy and strong yet. Right now I’m not healthy and strong,” Ogazi said.
From breakthrough season to painful setback
The teenager also revealed that his struggles may have been compounded by a recent COVID-19 diagnosis. Despite this, he spoke about what has been a breakthrough season, defined by winning the NCAA title and climbing to 15th in the world rankings.
“My season was impressive and superb because my main goal was to win the NCAA, and I got that done,” he said.
Ogazi entered Tokyo as one of Nigeria’s best medal prospects, having already won bronze at the African Championships and reached the Olympic final in Paris. However, his slow start in the heats, marked by the weakest reaction time in his race, sealed his early exit.
For Nigeria, the men’s 400m ended in disappointment, as fellow quarter-miler Chidi Okezie also failed to advance.
Tags: Samuel Ogazi, Tokyo 2025, Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, NCAA Champion, University of Alabama.
