Team Nigeria is making waves in athletics as five athletes qualified for the men’s and women’s 400m semi-finals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Edidiong Udo led the way in the men’s race, putting on a great show to win Heat One in 45.73 seconds. This was his first international competition for Nigeria at this distance. The 27-year-old finished nearly a second ahead of the others, securing his spot in Wednesday’s semi-finals at Scotstoun Stadium.
His success means Nigeria will have two athletes in the men’s 400m semi-finals. Samuel Ogazi got a free pass into the last four as one of the top-ranked athletes in the event.
In the women’s category, Nigeria is also well represented. Patience Okon-George and Esther Elo Joseph moved on from the first round, joining Ella Onojuvwevwo, who also received a bye into the semi-finals.
Okon-George qualified automatically after placing fourth in her heat with a time of 53.27 seconds. Joseph finished third in her heat, clocking 52.82 seconds, which marks her first-ever appearance in the 400m semi-finals at the Commonwealth Games. This means Nigeria will have three women competing in Wednesday’s semi-finals, as the country aims for medal positions.
This strong performance continues Nigeria’s positive start at the athletics competition. On Monday, the sprinters advanced to the semi-finals in both the men’s and women’s 100m events.
Nigeria came to Glasgow with one of its best athletics teams in years. The squad includes top athletes like Samuel Ogazi, Favour Ashe, Kanyinsola Ajayi, and world record holder Tobi Amusan.
With the 400m semi-finals taking place on Wednesday, Nigeria is hopeful that its five quarter-milers will build on their solid starts and keep the country’s medal ambitions alive in Glasgow.
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