Ezekiel Nathaniel, in his fourth appearance, claimed his first NCAA title in emphatic fashion, clocking 47.49s in the 400m hurdles, the third-fastest time in collegiate history.

Nathaniel’s season had been nothing short of electric. He opened indoors by smashing the National Record held by late Sunday Bada and the African record owned by Uganda's Eugene Omalla twice with a stunning 44.74s, becoming the 8th fastest man ever indoors. That form spilled into the outdoor season, where he cruised to a 48.99s opener in the 400m hurdles before recording another sub-45s of 44.75s in the 400m flat.

But it was at the Big 12 conference that he made real history, becoming the first Nigerian to go sub-48 seconds in the 400m hurdles, not once but twice, he clocked 47.09s and 47.89s setting a national record and personal best in the process.

Heading into the NCAA finals as the top seed and favorite, many questioned if Nathaniel could finally deliver on the big stage after past near misses. He answered with authority, dominating the final and stopping the clock at 47.49s, a time that ranks him:

2nd fastest in the world in 2025, behind Karsten Warholm (47.28s)

3rd on Africa’s all-time list behind Samuel Matete(47.10s) and Amadou Dia Bâ( 47.23s)

26th on the global all-time list

From record-breaking sprints to a crowning moment in the NCAA final, Ezekiel Nathaniel’s collegiate journey ends not just with a win but with a legacy.