Nigerian star quarter miler, Ezekiel Nathaniel made history on Wednesday night, storming to his first-ever Diamond League victory in the men’s 400m hurdles under a heavy rain in Lausanne.
The 20-year-old quarter-miler clocked 48.08 seconds, edging out USA’s Trevor Bassitt, who equaled his season’s best of 48.14s, while Slovakia’s Matic Ian Guček finished third in 49.23s.
This win handed Nathaniel his first victory since turning professional and have strengthened his growing reputation on the world stage.
Ezekiel Nathaniel: “I’m Grateful, Even in the Rain”
Speaking after the race, Nathaniel said the conditions were far from ideal but the atmosphere pushed him to execute his race plan.
“It’s amazing to actually come out here and do what I love to do. Running under this condition, I mean it’s a bad condition, but at the same time it gives you the opportunity to give your best.”
It was also the first time this season Nathaniel broke the 48-second barrier, something he admitted wasn’t his sharpest effort but still a step forward.
“This is the first time in the year I’m running 48 seconds. I wouldn’t say I’m fully proud of it, but I’m grateful. I was able to execute the race properly the way I wanted.”
The Nigerian star, who is aiming to be ranked among the world’s elite hurdlers, also hailed the audience atmosphere in Lausanne.
“Coming out here, competing with professionals in the game, it’s amazing. The setup is quite good, the crowd, Jesus Christ, everything is amazing.”
“I haven’t had this feeling before, so it’s cool.”
