With the 2025 World Athletics Championships set to take place from September 13 to 21 in Tokyo, seven Nigerian track athletes have already punched their tickets to the global stage, qualifying in eight different events.
Leading the charge is world record holder and 2022 gold medalist Tobi Amusan, who secured her spot in the women’s 100m hurdles with a 12.49s finish at the Paris 2024 Olympics. She’s joined by Favour Ofili, who qualified for the 200m with a blistering 22.05s, and Ezekiel Nathaniel, who earned his place in the 400m hurdles after clocking 48.38s.
Other qualifiers include Samuel Ogazi (men’s 400m, 44.41s), Ella Onojuvwevwo (women’s 400m, 50.59s), Tima Godbless (women’s 200m, 22.55s), and Kayinsola Ajayi (men’s 100m, 9.96s), who is currently the second-fastest man in the world this year.
Beyond individual events, Nigeria’s relay teams are also eyeing qualification at the upcoming World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China, set for May 10–11. The top 14 teams at that event will automatically qualify, while others can still make it through world rankings before the qualification period ends.
With a promising mix of experience and emerging talent, Team Nigeria is gearing up to end its medal drought and return to the podium for the first time since Amusan’s triumph in 2022.
