Three of Nigeria’s top athletes were featured prominently in the 2025 World Athletics rankings, and the country has started 2026 on a good note.
Tobi Amusan, the world record holder, spearheaded the effort and finished in the top three in her event. Ezekiel Nathaniel and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi were also acknowledged by the world’s elite.
Known as the “queen of the hurdles,” Amusan ended the year as the third-best 100-meter hurdler globally. With 1,430 ranking points, she trailed behind Grace Stark of the United States and Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland.
The 28-year-old, who won silver at the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships, is ranked 28th overall in the women’s standings for the year and is the only Nigerian woman to place in the top five of her discipline.
The 22-year-old Nathaniel, who finished the season as the fifth-ranked 400-meter hurdler worldwide and 15th in the men’s overall rankings, proved to be one of the most intriguing prospects on the track.
The teenage athlete created history by being the first Nigerian to run the 400-meter hurdles in less than 48 seconds nine times. He also set a national record of 47.11 seconds, which was only one hundredth of a second behind the African record set by Samuel Matete of Zambia. Additionally, he had an unforgettable Diamond League debut, making it to the final and finishing third.
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, a shot putter, kept up her impressive performance in the field events. After finishing fifth in Tokyo, he was placed seventh in his discipline at the end of the year, earning the 100th position in the men’s overall standings.
Thus, the only Nigerian athletes to finish the 2025 season in the top ten of their respective sports are Amusan, Nathaniel, and Enekwechi.
