…Onojuvwevwo Wins Bronze
Samuel Ogazi lived up to pre-Games rating as the favourite to win the 400m gold at the Commonwealth Games and he did not disappoint in fulfilling the expectation.
At the Torrin Lawrence Memorial (Athens, Greece), Ogazi ran a world-leading time of 44.02 seconds to break Innocent Egbunike’s national record of 44.17seconds set in 1987 in Rome.
He also lowered the time to 43.95seconds in May 2026 to position himself as clear favourite for the Commonwealth Games.
Expectedly, he gave Nigerians at the Games something to ceelbrate with his gold winning performance of 44.25seconds.
The 20-year-old produced a commanding run at the final to increase Team Nigeria’s gold tally and ceemnt his status as one of the best in quartermile this year.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards, picked the silver in 44.82 seconds, while South Africa’s Zakithi Nene smiled home with the bronze in 45.21 seconds.
Team Nigeria’s second finalist Edidiong Okon Udo finished eight in a time of 45.81 seconds..
Botswana’s Lee Bhekempilo Eppie finished fourth in 45.31 seconds, Australia’s Thomas Reynolds was fifth in 45.57 seconds, Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga came sixth in 45.61 seconds, while Jamaica’s Zandrion Barnes placed seventh in 45.68 seconds.
Ogazi’s winning time of 44.25seconds underscores his authority over the rest of the pack winning by more than half a second.
Meanwhile, Ella Onojuvwevwo added to Team Nigeria’s medal haul with a bronze medal in the women’s 400 metres final at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow.
The Nigerian quarter-miler produced a determined performance to finish third in a season’s best time of 51.00 seconds.Jamaica’s Oakley clinched the gold medal after crossing the line in 50.21 seconds, while Williams of Barbados claimed silver in 50.99 seconds, narrowly edging Onojuvwevwo by just one-hundredth of a second.
Despite missing out on silver by the slimmest of margins, Onojuvwevwo’s bronze further underlined Nigeria’s growing strength on the track at the Games.
The podium finish adds to Team Nigeria Athletics’ medal collection in Glasgow and continues the country’s encouraging performances as the athletics competition enters its decisive stages.
