Nigeria’s elite track and field stars have entered the new year on a high note, with three athletes securing prestigious spots in the World Athletics Top 100 rankings for the 2025 season.
Hurdling sensation Tobi Amusan led the group by finishing the year within the global top five for her discipline, alongside standout performers Ezekiel Nathaniel and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi.
Amusan, the world record holder in the 100m hurdles, concluded the 2025 season as the third-best athlete in her event globally, following her silver-medal win at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Okay News reports that she remains the only Nigerian woman to rank in the top five of an individual discipline, amassing 1,430 points to sit behind only Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji and America’s Grace Stark in the world standings.
The rankings also highlighted a breakout year for 22-year-old Ezekiel Nathaniel, who ended the season as the fifth-ranked 400m hurdler in the world. Nathaniel made history by becoming the first Nigerian to run his event in under 48 seconds, a feat he achieved nine times during the season.
Complementing this success, veteran shot putter Chukwuebuka Enekwechi finished seventh in his event, ensuring Nigeria maintained a strong presence in the global top 10 across three different athletic fields.
