By Ben Efe 31.7.2026
Hurdler Ezekiel Nathaniel Friday became the first Nigerian to win the Commonwealth Games gold medal of the men’s 400m hurdles when he out paced his challengers and comfortably breasted the tape with a time of 48.47seconds at the Scotstourn Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland.
In 1966 Kingsley Agbabokha win silver when the event was known as the 440 yards hurdles.
England’s Jake Minshull settled for silver with 48.99secnds and Jamaica’s Assinie Wilson clocked 49.22secods for the broze.
The win is Ezekiel’s first major title outside of the African continent and the finishing tops was a great elevation for him after placing fifth in Birmingham 2022. Ezekiel is a top contender for the World title next year. With a person best of 47.11 second, which is a fraction shy of Samuel Matete’s over three decades old African record of 47.10secs, Ezekiel has made remarkable improvement to his career.
Nigerians are now banking on 400m runner Samuel Ogazi to also deliver the gold in the final on Saturday. Edidiong Udo is also in the final.
In the men’s 200m Udodi Onwuzurike finished with a season’s best of 20.09secs in the race won by South Africa’ Sinesipho Dambile 19.96eecs, while Jamaica’s Christopher Taylor ran
PB of 20.11 seconds to win the bronze.