Samuel Ogazi Named Bowerman Award Finalist, Makes Nigerian Athletics History

Samuel Ogazi Named Bowerman Award Finalist, Makes Nigerian Athletics History

Nigerian quarter-miler Samuel Ogazi has been named one of the three finalists for the 2026 Bowerman Award, becoming only the fourth Nigerian to reach the final of the most prestigious individual honour in U.S. collegiate track and field.

The University of Alabama athlete earned the nomination after a remarkable season in which he dominated the 400 metres and rewrote several NCAA and Nigerian records.

The 21-year-old won both the NCAA Division I indoor and outdoor 400m titles before producing a historic performance at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, where he clocked 43.38 seconds to break Michael Norman’s long-standing collegiate record of 43.61 seconds set in 2018.

The performance made Ogazi the fastest 400m runner in NCAA history. He also lowered the Nigerian record four times in 2026, recording times of 44.02, 43.95, 43.82 and 43.38 seconds, becoming the first collegiate athlete to run multiple sub-44-second races in the event.

Earlier in the indoor season, Ogazi claimed the NCAA indoor 400m title in 44.57 seconds, equalling the recognised indoor world record and moving into a tie for third on the all-time world indoor list.

His achievements also make him the first male athlete from the University of Alabama to reach the Bowerman Award final.

Ogazi joins Blessing Okagbare (2010), Divine Oduduru (2019) and Ezekiel Nathaniel (2025) as the only Nigerians to have reached the final stage of the award.

He will compete against New Mexico distance runner Habtom Samuel and Auburn hurdler Ja’Kobe Tharp for the 2026 Bowerman Award. The winner will be announced on December 17 during the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Convention in Grapevine, Texas.

Ogazi’s nomination comes during an outstanding year for Nigerian athletes in the American collegiate system. Auburn University’s Kanyinsola Ajayi captured the NCAA indoor 60m and outdoor 100m titles, while Texas A&M’s Chinecherem Nnamdi won the NCAA javelin title. Texas Tech’s Temitope Adeshina also swept the NCAA indoor and outdoor women’s high jump titles.

Having already announced his decision to turn professional, Ogazi now stands on the verge of becoming the first Nigerian to win the Bowerman Award, widely regarded as the highest individual honour in U.S. collegiate track and field.

Samuel Ogazi Named Bowerman Award Finalist, Makes Nigerian Athletics History