Ogazi: Officials Forced Me to Run 400m Despite Injury

Teenage sprint sensation Samuel Ogazi has revealed that Nigerian officials compelled him to compete in the men’s 400m at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, despite carrying a hamstring injury.

The 19-year-old, making his World Championships debut, clocked 45.97s to finish fifth in heat three, well below his personal best of 44.41s. The race was won by American Jacory Patterson in a swift 43.90s, with Jamaica’s Rusheen McDonald (44.38s) and Italy’s Edoardo Scotti (44.45s) claiming the automatic qualifying spots.

Botswana’s Collen Kebinatshipi (44.48s) advanced as a fastest loser, while Ogazi ranked 41st overall out of 48 competitors.

Speaking after the race, the University of Alabama quarter-miler said he had pleaded with team officials to allow him to sit out, but his request was ignored.

“I told Team Nigeria officials I wasn’t prepared for the race because my hamstring was bothering me, but they still insisted I should run,” Ogazi explained. “I did what I could, but this was the result.”

Ogazi said he had been in peak condition before traveling but suffered a setback during a light session in Tokyo.

“On Monday back home, I had a great practice. I flew in on Tuesday, then on Wednesday during a shakeout I felt something in my hamstring. I told them a day before the race, ‘I’m not ready,’ but they said, ‘Just give it your all.’”

The NCAA champion, who admitted he was also recovering from a recent COVID-19 diagnosis, said he was frustrated that his health concerns were not taken seriously.

“Everybody knows I don’t run with injuries. I even told the doctor during warm-up that I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t healthy or strong,” he added.

Despite the disappointment in Tokyo, Ogazi reflected on what has been a breakthrough season. He won the NCAA 400m title earlier in the year with 44.43s, rose to 15th in the global rankings, and bagged bronze at the African Championships in Douala, as well as reaching the final at the Paris Olympics.

“This season was still superb because my main goal was to win the NCAA, and I achieved that,” he said. “After that, I just went with the flow.”

Nigeria’s 400m hopes ended in the heats, as compatriot Chidi Okezie also failed to advance, finishing seventh in his heat in 45.66s to place 39th overall.