Nigerian athletes made a significant impact at the Silesia Diamond League meet in Poland, with Ezekiel Nathaniel breaking a national record in the men’s 400m hurdles. Nathaniel clocked an impressive 47.31 seconds, finishing second behind reigning Olympic champion and world record holder Karsten Warholm of Norway, who won the event with a meeting record and world lead time of 46.28 seconds.
Nathaniel’s achievement not only broke his previous national record of 47.49 seconds, set on June 13, 2025, in Oregon during the NCAA DI finals, but also showcased his growing prowess in the professional circuit. Unfortunately, his late entry into the Diamond League has cost him a spot in the Zurich final, as he ranked ninth with 13 points, narrowly missing the top eight cutoff.
Meanwhile, Tobi Amusan continued her dominance in the women’s 100m hurdles, finishing third in a competitive field with a time of 12.25 seconds. The race was won by Masai Russell of the United States with a Diamond League record time of 12.19 seconds, while Tonea Marshall of the US took second place with a time of 12.24 seconds. Amusan’s third-place finish wasn’t a concern for her qualification, as she had already secured her spot in the Zurich final with 23 qualification points, placing second behind Grace Stark of the US.
Favour Ofili also delivered an impressive performance in the women’s 200m, claiming third place with a time of 22.25 seconds. The event was won by Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson with a time of 22.17 seconds, followed closely by American Brittany Brown, who clocked 22.21 seconds. Although Ofili’s late introduction to the circuit limited her qualification points to six, placing her 13th in the standings, her performance was a highlight of the meet for Nigerian fans.
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi maintained his push for a spot in the season-ending finals with a consistent performance in the men’s shot put. He threw 21.56 meters to finish seventh, while Payton Otterdahl of the United States took the top spot with a throw of 22.28 meters. Enekwechi’s performance keeps him seventh in the qualification rankings with 11 points, and he will have one final chance to secure his spot in Zurich.
As the Diamond League series heads to Lausanne for its final qualifying round, Amusan is now the only Nigerian certain of a place in the Diamond League finals. Enekwechi, on the other hand, remains in the hunt for a spot in the grand finale in Zurich on August 27 and 28. The final events will determine the most consistent performers across the 14-meeting series, who will contest for the prestigious Diamond Trophy and a share of the $2.24 million prize fund.
The performances of Nathaniel, Amusan, Ofili, and Enekwechi demonstrate the growing strength and talent of Nigerian athletics. With Amusan’s sights set on a fourth Diamond Trophy and other athletes pushing the boundaries of their capabilities, Nigerian athletics is certainly on the rise.
The Silesia Diamond League meet showcased the best of track and field athletics, with Nigerian athletes playing a significant role. As the series concludes, all eyes will be on Lausanne and Zurich, where the finalists will battle it out for the top prizes. With consistent performances and determination, Nigerian athletes have proven themselves to be formidable competitors on the world stage.
