Running in lane three, small but mighty Ella executed a perfect race, attacking the 200m-300m curve in style to slide through the rest of the pack and set the fastest time so far in 2026 in women’s 400m.
Nigeria’s Ella Onojuvwevwo ran a blistering 49.59s, the first Nigerian woman in 27 years to go sub 50s in the women’s 400m at the Battle on the Bayou in Louisiana.
49.59 is the fastest time run by a Nigerian woman since Falilat Ogunkoya in 1998, when she ran 49.52s.
Before her new personal best, no Nigerian woman had broken 50 seconds in the event since 1999.
Her time is the first sub-50s in the world for 2026 Ella Onojuvwevwo.
Madison Whyte of the University of South Carolina came second in 50.06, while Shaquena Foote (Georgia) was third in 50.88s.
49.59 seconds – Small But Mighty Ella
- LSU Record.
- No. 10 in collegiate history.
- No. 7 in African history.
- No. 3 in Nigerian history.
- 2026 World Leader.
During the indoor season, Ella Onojuvwevwo stormed to a personal best, African record, and World Lead time of 50.28s to win her 400m heat at the NCAA Indoor championships.
Despite the impressive heat results, she could only pick bronze in the NCAA indoor 400m final for LSU.
Dropping an outdoor season opener of 49.59 means she can lower her time to 48s, and has put Falilat Ogunkoya’s long-standing national record of 49.10s on notice.