Nigerian quarter-miler Ezekiel Nathaniel continued his fine form this season, winning the men’s 400m at the ATX Classic in Austin, Texas, clocking 45.49 seconds to edge American pair Noah Williams (45.52s) and Randolph Ross (45.75s) in a keenly contested finish, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The victory builds on Nathaniel’s impressive start to the 2026 outdoor campaign, which began with a dramatic triumph at the Lone Star Grand Prix, where he clocked 47.37 seconds in the 400m hurdles — the identical time recorded by American Trevor Bassitt — before being awarded the win following a photo finish review.
The back-to-back victories have underscored the Nigerian’s growing status as one of the leading one-lap specialists in the world, with his consistency across both the flat and the hurdles drawing attention ahead of a busy international season.
Nathaniel said after the Lone Star Grand Prix win that he was delighted with the result and keen to build momentum for the competitions ahead.
With major championships and Diamond League meetings on the horizon, the double triumph has provided him with a solid platform to mount a strong campaign through the rest of the season.
By: Peter Akinbo
