Samuel Ogazi Sets New Games Record , Wins Nigeria’s 10th Gold at 2026 Commonwealth Games
Samuel Ogazi produced a sensational performance in Glasgow on Saturday, becoming the first Nigerian man to win the Commonwealth Games men’s 400m title and delivering Team Nigeria’s 10th gold medal at the 2026 Games.
The 20-year-old Nigerian dominated the final at Scotstoun Stadium, crossing the finish line in an impressive 44.25 seconds to secure a historic victory.
Ogazi finished ahead of Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards, who claimed silver in 44.82s, while South Africa’s Zakithi Nene took bronze in 45.21s.
The Nigerian started strongly and remained alongside Richards through the opening stages before producing a devastating surge over the closing 150 metres. Ogazi pulled decisively clear of the field to win by a commanding margin.
His winning time was just 0.01 seconds outside the Commonwealth Games record of 44.24s, set by Grenada’s Kirani James in 2014.
More significantly, Ogazi’s triumph rewrote Nigeria’s Commonwealth Games history, as he became the first Nigerian male athlete to win the individual 400m title at the Games.
The victory also caps a remarkable season for the Nigerian quarter-miler, who has established himself among the world’s leading 400m runners.
Ogazi had already signalled his medal ambitions in Glasgow during the semi-finals, producing the fastest qualifying time with a superb 44.52 seconds.
His latest triumph adds another landmark to a rapidly developing career that includes an Olympic 400m final appearance at Paris 2024.
The gold medal is Nigeria’s 10th at Glasgow 2026, further strengthening the country’s impressive campaign across athletics, weightlifting, boxing and para-powerlifting.
Ogazi’s victory also provides another major highlight for Team Nigeria on Day 9 of the Games, with the Nigerian contingent continuing to chase its ambitious medal target.
With his historic 400m triumph, Ogazi has now etched his name alongside Nigeria’s great Commonwealth Games champions and delivered one of the standout performances of the Glasgow 2026 athletics programme.
