Commonwealth Games: Ezekiel Nathaniel’s historic gold boosts Team Nigeria’s medal haul

Ezekiel Nathaniel produced a commanding performance to win Nigeria’s first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medal in the men’s 400m hurdles, as Team Nigeria continued its impressive campaign in Glasgow with another day of podium finishes.

The 23-year-old athlete stormed to victory in 48.47 seconds, becoming the first Nigerian to win the event at the Commonwealth Games and capping a remarkable rise from his sixth-place finish at Birmingham 2022.

Read Also: Commonwealth Games: Enekwechi wins historic gold, Amusan takes bronze

England’s Jake Minshull claimed the silver medal, while Jamaica’s Assinie Wilson settled for bronze.

Nathaniel’s triumph surpassed Nigeria’s previous best in the event, improving on the silver medal won by Kingsley Agbabokha at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.

Onwuzurike adds silver to Nigeria’s tally

Team Nigeria’s medal count received another boost as Udodi Onwuzurike claimed silver in the men’s 200m final with a season’s best time of 20.09 seconds.

South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile took gold in 19.96 seconds, while Jamaica’s Christopher Taylor finished third in 20.11 seconds.

Onwuzurike produced a strong finish in the closing metres to hold off Taylor and secure Nigeria’s second athletics medal of the day.

Nathaniel delivers on pre-race favourite tag

Nathaniel entered the final as the overwhelming favourite following a stellar season that established him as the only Commonwealth athlete to have broken the 48-second barrier since 2025.

His victory confirmed the expectations surrounding the Nigerian star, whose consistent performances over the past two seasons made him the athlete to beat in Glasgow.

The gold medal also underlined his steady progression, completing an inspiring journey from sixth place four years ago to Commonwealth champion.

Nigeria’s athletics team shines in Glasgow

Nathaniel and Onwuzurike’s medals continued an outstanding athletics campaign for Team Nigeria.

World record holder Tobi Amusan claimed bronze in the women’s 100m hurdles, while Chukwuebuka Enekwechi made history with Nigeria’s first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medal in the men’s shot put.

Nigeria’s medal haul has also been boosted by podium finishes from Temitope Adeshina, Kayinsola Ajayi and Jessica Oji, with several relay teams and field event athletes still in contention as the Games enter their closing stages.

The latest gold and silver medals further strengthened Team Nigeria’s position as Africa’s highest-ranked nation on the Commonwealth Games medals table, with the delegation on course for one of its best performances in recent history.