Samuel Ogazi headlines Nigerian brilliance with African record at NCAA Indoor Championships

Posted : 16 March 2026

Nigeria’s rising sprint sensation, Samuel Ogazi, delivered a breathtaking performance at the NCAA Indoor Championships finals, rewriting the African indoor 400 metres record with a sensational 44.57 seconds in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The 19-year-old Nigerian quarter-miler produced a commanding run to dominate the race from the outset, blazing through the opening lap in 20.92 seconds ahead of Justin Braun.

Though Braun mounted a late push in the closing stages, Ogazi held firm to cross the line first, with the American finishing second in 44.67 seconds.

The stunning time not only set a new African indoor record but also matched the current world short-track mark, placing the Kaduna-born athlete among the fastest quarter-milers in indoor history.

The world record-equalling time follows the mark previously set by Khaleb McRae at the same venue last month, which is still awaiting official ratification.

Competing for the University of Alabama, Ogazi’s latest feat further strengthens a rapidly rising career. The youngster had earlier reached the final of the men’s 400 metres at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris and claimed bronze at the 2024 African Championships in Athletics.

His impressive résumé also includes victory at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships and appearances at the 2022 World Athletics U20 Championships in Cali as part of Nigeria’s 4×400m relay squad.

Before his collegiate breakthrough, Ogazi dominated the youth ranks by winning both the 200m and 400m titles at the 2023 African U18 and U20 Championships in Ndola.

He followed that with a double gold in the same events at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago, while also helping Nigeria claim gold in the mixed 4×100m relay with a games record.

Meanwhile, other Nigerian athletes also made strong statements at the Fayetteville meet. Kayinsola Ajayi successfully defended his dominance in the men’s 60 metres, equalling his African record of 6.45 seconds to claim victory ahead of Jelani Watkins, who finished in 6.48 seconds.

In the women’s 400 metres final, Jamaica’s Dejanea Oakley stormed to victory with an indoor personal best of 50.47 seconds, while Nigeria’s Ella Onojuvwevwo secured third place in 50.76 seconds.

The Nigerian had earlier stunned the field during the heats with a world-leading 50.28 seconds, breaking a 28-year-old African indoor record.

The performances in Fayetteville once again highlighted the growing impact of Nigerian athletes on the U.S. collegiate track circuit, with Ogazi’s record-shattering run standing out as the headline moment of the championship.

Samuel Ogazi headlines Nigerian brilliance with African record at NCAA Indoor Championships

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