Ogazi is the fourth Nigerian finalist for the Bowerman Award

Samuel Ogazi has become the fourth Nigerian ever to reach the final of the Bowerman Award. The University of Alabama quarter-miler was named among the three finalists for the top individual prize in collegiate track and field by the US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association on Tuesday.

The sprinter from Kaduna earned this selection after having one of the best collegiate 400 metres seasons ever seen. The 21-year-old set new NCAA records and showed he is one of the most exciting young athletes in global track and field.

Ogazi won the NCAA Division I indoor and outdoor 400m titles this season. He delivered the best performance of his collegiate career at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene. There, he ran an amazing 43.38 seconds, breaking Michael Norman’s long-standing collegiate record of 43.61 seconds set in 2018.

This performance made him the fastest 400m runner in NCAA history. He also broke the Nigerian record for the fourth time in 2026 alone, having previously clocked 44.02, 43.95 and 43.82 seconds. He became the first collegian to run multiple sub-44-second performances in this event.

Earlier in the indoor season, Ogazi won the NCAA indoor title in 44.57 seconds. This time matched the recognized indoor world record and placed him third on the all-time world indoor list. His outstanding season has also made him the first male athlete in Alabama’s history to reach the Bowerman final.

He joins Blessing Okagbare, who reached the final in 2010, Divine Oduduru in 2019, and Ezekiel Nathaniel, who was a finalist last year. These are the only Nigerians who have made it to the final stage of the award.

Ogazi will compete against strong challengers like New Mexico distance runner Habtom Samuel and Auburn hurdler Ja’Kobe Tharp. The winner will be announced at the USTFCCCA Convention in Grapevine, Texas, on December 17.

For Ogazi, who has already decided to turn professional, this nomination is another big achievement in a year where he has set many records. He is now just one step away from becoming the first Nigerian to win the most sought-after individual prize in collegiate track and field.