Nigerian Ezekiel Nathaniel has cruised into the semi-finals of the men’s 400m hurdles in his maiden Olympic outing on Monday.
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The Nigeria’s national record holder finished second in Heat 4 with a time of 48.32s to secure an automatic spot.
Jamaica’s Roshawn Clarke won the race in a time of 48.17s, while Wilfried Happio was third in a time of 48.42s.
Nathaniel is the first Nigerian athlete in 12 years to make the semi-finals of the 400m hurdles at the Olympics.
The last Nigerian athlete to qualify for the semis of the event was Amaechi Morton at London 2012.
Nigeria’s Chidi Okezie failed to progress into the semi-finals of the men’s 400m, finishing fifth in the second heat of the repechage round, with a time of 45.92s.
