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Ezekiel Nathaniel is a Nigerian track and field athlete who is a 400 metre hurdler, and he is the current national record holder in this event. Find out more information about him here.
Ezekiel Nathaniel Background
Ezekiel Nathaniel is a rising star in Nigerian athletics who specialises in the 400-metre hurdles event.
Ezekiel comes from an athletic family with a history of competing for the national team, and he was inspired by the national team coach, who trained his brother and sister, to embark on his own journey into athletics.
After the encouragement and persuasion, he decided to try the sport in 2019, but he was discouraged by the time it took him to finish the 100 metre race and decided to take a break.
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Later that year, he returned to the stadium for another trial and was told he did not have much speed but had endurance and got directed to the 800 metre heat, before the coach decided that the 400 metre hurdles could also suit him.
By 2020, he had started proper training with the Buka Tigers Athletics Club in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, and in 2021, he finished in fourth place at the World U20 Championships in Nairobi.
Ezekiel Nathaniel Baylor University
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After the fourth place finish, Ezekiel was contacted by a coach from Baylor University, USA, and he did not hesitate to accept the offer, as he continued his development in Waco, Texas, by January 2022.
“I wasn't expecting to travel this year. I didn't know I would run 49s at the World Juniors. So when I got back, I got a message saying, ‘We want you to join us’. I thought it was a blessing. I packed my stuff and got ready to move. I didn't expect it." he said while narrating his journey to Baylor.
Ezekiel quickly made his mark in his freshman year (2022) by shattering the Nigerian national record in the 400m hurdles, clocking in at an impressive 48.42 seconds.
This feat not only secured him the Big 12 Conference title but also announced his arrival on the national scene.
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His talent did not go unnoticed, as he participated in the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, making it to the semifinals in his first attempt.
Ezekiel replicated this feat at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, showing how much he is growing in experience and consistency.
In 2023, he secured a bronze medal in the 400m hurdles at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, and also became a part of the Baylor team that set a programme record in the 4x400m relay race.
In 2024, Nathaniel continued his impressive run, securing another bronze medal at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, solidifying his position as a top collegiate athlete.
How old is Ezekiel Nathaniel? (Ezekiel Nathaniel age)
Ezekiel Nathaniel was born on June 20, 2003, making him 21 years old as of July 2024.
Despite being young, he has a considerable number of achievements already, with the Nigerian national record in the 400m hurdles being the biggest so far.
Where was Ezekiel Nathaniel born?
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Ezekiel Nathaniel was born in Nigeria, and he hails from Delta State, which is in the South-South region of the country.
He was raised in Nigeria alongside his siblings, who are also athletes, but he left the shores of the country in 2022 and now resides in Waco, Texas, where he attends Baylor University.
Ezekiel Nathaniel Siblings
Ezekiel Nathaniel comes from a deeply athletic family, as his siblings have also made significant contributions to Nigerian track and field.
His brother, Samson Nathaniel, is a prominent figure in the sport, having competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with the Nigerian mixed 4x400m relay team. Another brother, Jeremiah, is a promising sprinter.
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Ezekiel's sister, Glory Nathaniel, is also a talented athlete. She represented Nigeria in the 400m hurdles at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and was part of the country's 4x400m relay team that excelled at both the 2017 World Championships and the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
How tall is Ezekiel Nathaniel? (Ezekiel Nathaniel Height)
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Ezekiel Nathaniel is 6 feet 4 inches tall (195 cm), which is an advantage on the track, as it gives him a strong stride advantage in middle-distance running events like the 800 metres and the 400 metres.
What is Ezekiel Nathaniel's fastest time in the 400 mH? (Ezekiel Nathaniel personal best)
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Ezekiel Nathaniel’s personal best comes in at an impressive 48.00 seconds, which he achieved in May 2024 at the Big 12 Conference Championships.
This time not only secured the championship title, but also shattered the previous Nigerian record he himself had set earlier.
Ezekiel Nathaniel Nigerian Record
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Ezekiel Nathaniel has shattered the Nigeria 400-metre hurdles record twice in the short period he turned pro.
He first rewrote the Nigerian 400m hurdles record book in May 2022, shattering a 34-year-old mark set by Henry Amike after clocking a blistering 48.42 seconds at the Big 12 Championships.
But that was just the beginning, as he lowered this record again in May 2024, shattering his own national record once more at the Big 12 Championships, clocking an astonishing 48.00 seconds.
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Ezekiel now has the top two fastest times by a Nigerian in the history of the 400 metres hurdles event.
Will Ezekiel Nathaniel go to the Olympics? (Ezekiel Nathaniel Olympics)
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Ezekiel Nathaniel’s first appearance at the Olympics will come at the 2024 Games in Paris.
He secured his spot on the Nigerian team in April 2024 by setting a new national record in the 400 meter hurdles, surpassing the qualifying standard for the Paris Games.
Ezekiel Nathaniel Coach
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Ezekiel Nathaniel's current coach is Benjamin Richard Dalton, who was hired as assistant track and field coach/recruiting coordinator at Baylor University in July 2019.
Benjamin is a native of England, and he has a bachelor of science degree from the University of Bath with a double major in biomechanics and exercise physiology. He also studied at the University of Florida, while he earned a Master’s degree in kinesiology, specialising in motor control, during his time at LSU.
Who is Ezekiel Nathaniel dating? (Ezekiel Nathaniel girlfriend)
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Details of Ezekiel Nathaniel’s relationship status is not out in the public, but based on his social media activities, the assumption is that he is currently single, as there has been no sighting of a partner.
Ezekiel Nathaniel Net Worth
Ezekiel Nathaniel's net worth has not been estimated at this time, but he is on a student-athlete scholarship at Baylor University, USA, and it is only a matter of time before the endorsements begin to roll in due to his steady rise.
Ezekiel Nathaniel Social Media
Ezekiel Nathaniel has an active Instagram account (@i_am_nathaniel_ezekiel), where she posts about her career, but he does not post frequently.
The account has over 4600 followers as of July 2024.
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