Another Race, New Record: Ezekiel Nathaniel runs fastest qualifying semifinal race in NCAA history to make 400mH final

Funmilayo Fameso 12:10 - 12 June 2025

Ezekiel Nathaniel brushing the field to win his 400mH semifinal race. Photo Credit - @baylortrack via Instagram

Baylor University's Ezekiel Nathaniel clocked a PB and National Record of 47.86s in his 400mH semifinal at the NCAA Championships. The time is the first sub-48s semifinal run in NCAA history.

If there's an athlete in form this season, Ezekiel Nathaniel is surely a top contender for the Top 5 list, following another impressive performance in his 400m hurdles semifinal race at the NCAA Championships in Oregon, breaking several records.

The Baylor University senior was a class apart from the rest of the field as he effortlessly blazed through the hurdles, stopping the clock in a brilliant time of 47.86s.

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The first sub-48 in NCAA Semifinal HISTORY by Big Nate at 4️⃣7️⃣.8️⃣6️⃣ 🤯

✅ New NCAA Lead
✅ New Nigerian National Record
✅ World No. 3
✅ New BU program record

📺 @espn #SicEm 🐻 pic.twitter.com/RgR5hyudMP
— Baylor Track & Field (@BaylorTrack) June 12, 2025

With his exceptional time, Nathaniel lowered his 47.89s Nigerian record and school record, strengthened his hold as No. 3 on the world list, and it's the fastest qualifying semifinal race in NCAA history.

Ezekiel Nathaniel set a new 400mH Nigerian record at the NCAA Championships

USC's Johnny Brackins in 50.14s, the same time with Bryce Tucker for third.

Nathaniel has been predicted to win his first individual NCAA title and remains the favourite to accomplish the feat. If successful, will become the second Nigerian hurdler since Miles Ukaoma (2014) to be crowned an NCAA 400mH champion.