Samuel Ogazi has made history by winning Nigeria’s first-ever gold medal in the men’s 400 metres at the Commonwealth Games.
The 20-year-old Nigerian produced a dominant performance at the Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland, on Saturday, clocking 44.25 seconds to win the final.
Ogazi crossed the finish line about six metres ahead of the chasing pack, narrowly missing the Commonwealth Games record of 44.24 seconds set by Grenada’s Kirani James in 2014 by just 0.01 seconds.
The victory marks a historic achievement for Nigeria, with the country’s closest previous finish in the Commonwealth Games men’s 400m coming in 1994 when Sunday Bada won a bronze medal.
Ogazi entered the Glasgow Games as the fastest 400m runner in the world this year, while the absence of reigning world champion Collen Kebinatshipi of Botswana further strengthened his status as the favourite for the event.
Running from lane five, Ogazi faced an early challenge from Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards, who stayed alongside the Nigerian during the opening 200 metres.
However, Ogazi unleashed his speed in the final 150 metres, pulling decisively away from his rivals to secure the gold medal.
Richards finished second to claim silver, while South Africa’s Zakithi Nene took the bronze medal.
A few minutes after Ogazi’s historic triumph, Nigeria’s Ella Onojuvwevwo also mounted the podium after winning bronze in the women’s 400m final.
Onojuvwevwo clocked 51 seconds to finish behind Jamaica’s Dejaene Oakley, who won gold, and Barbados’ Sada Williams, who claimed silver.
The two medals have taken Team Nigeria’s medal haul at the 2026 Commonwealth Games to 20, comprising 10 gold, six silver and four bronze medals.
