Alabama University’s Samuel Ogazi sets a new 400m record, running 43.95s to win the SEC men’s 400m title, becoming the first Nigerian man under 44 seconds.
He beat a really strong Jordan Pierre (Arkansas), who ran a big PB of 44.12s, and Jonathan Simms (Georgia) in 44.16s.
Ogazi Sets New 400m Record
Sam Ogazi had a slow start out of the blocks, and by the second turn, he closed the gap. By the end of the bend, Jonathan Simms was in the lead before Ogazi chased him down to set a new Nigerian record and a world 400m lead.
Hitting two national records in one month has placed Ogazi at a level he has always dreamed of.
“This is a milestone for me, like a starting point of where I want to be in the next 3 to 4 years. I have always been watching a 43s, and now here we have it.
I am a big dog now, I do big stuff…” Samuel Ogazi, after becoming the first Nigerian ever to run a sub-44s in the 400m.
Earlier in his season opener, Samuel Ogazi took down Innocent Egbunike’s long-standing 400m Nigerian Record of 44.17s at the Torrin Lawrence Memorial in Athens, becoming the fastest Nigerian over the one-lap.
Also, Samuel Ogazi becomes just the 11th collegiate athlete to run a 43s in the 400m. Meanwhile, the best 43s time in the NCAA belongs to Quincy Watts, 43.50 recorded in 1992.