Ezekiel Nathaniel changed the course of African 400m indoor racing with a historic performance at the Big 12 Indoor Championships, smashing his own African Record with a blistering 44.74s to claim GOLD!
Competing in a timed final alongside Arizona State’s Jayden Davis—who had pushed him in the qualification round—Nathaniel attacked the race with intent, seizing the lead at the break with a swift 21.09s opening lap.
He maintained his poise through to the finish, showing no signs of fatigue as he obliterated his previous record of 44.92s set just two weeks ago, when he became the first man from the continent to break 45 seconds.
In the process, multiple records fell. Nathaniel now holds Baylor’s School Record, set a new Meet Record, became the second-fastest man in the world in 2025, and moved up to 8th on the all-time list. He also made history as the fastest man from outside North America to ever run the 400m indoors.
