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.
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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.
