Summary
– Trio excels in 400m running.
– Ogazi: 164th to 77th rank.
– Onojuvwevwo: 175th to 87th rank.
– Joseph: 279th to 84th rank.
The Nigerian trio consisting of Samuel Ogazi, Ella Onojuvwevwo, and Elo Joseph have made significant strides in the world of 400m running, earning places among the top 100 athletes globally according to the recent update on the World Athletics World Ranking.
Ogazi Climbing Ranks
Ogazi, who secured the silver medal at the 2024 NCAA outdoor championship, has notably climbed the rankings, transitioning from his 164th position in 2023 to his current standing as the 77th best in the world. At just 18 years old, Ogazi has demonstrated remarkable progress this year, achieving a sub-45 second time for the first time and consistently improving his performance with times of 44.58, 44.53, and 44.52. His fastest time of 44.52 makes him the second fastest Nigerian in history over the 400m distance, trailing only Innocent Egbunike.
Onojuvwevwo Improves
Onojuvwevwo, previously ranked 175th at the end of last year, has also made significant advancements, now occupying the 87th position in the world rankings. She showcased her talent by reaching the final of the 400m at the 2024 NCAA outdoor championship and consistently running sub-51 second times throughout the season.
Joseph Nigeria’s Best
Joseph has experienced a remarkable ascent in the rankings, moving from her 279th position just six months ago to becoming the highest ranked Nigerian in the event, currently standing at 84th. Her performances include running sub-52 second times on multiple occasions, culminating in a silver medal at the African Games and a victory at the African Zone 2 championship in Accra, Ghana.
Ella Onojuvwevwo Profile
Ella Onojuvwevwo (born 25 March 2005) is a Nigerian sprinter.
Early life
In November 2022, she agreed to join Louisiana State University in the United States.
Career
In 2021, she won gold as part of the women’s 4x400m relay and mixed 4x400m relay at the 2021 World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi.
She was a silver medalist at the 2022 African Championships in the mixed 4x400m relay in Mauritius and also won bronze at the championships in the women’s 4x400m relay.
She was part of the Nigerian team that competed in the 400 metres and the 4x400m relay at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, in which they qualified for the final and finished sixth.
She ran for Nigeria as part of the 4x400m relay team at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
In April 2024, she lowered his personal best over 400 metres to 51.32 seconds in Florida.
She competed for Nigeria at the 2024 World Athletics Relays in Nassau, Bahamas.
With a time of 3:12.87, the Nigerian Mixed 4x400m team of Onojuvwevwo, Samuel Ogazi, Chidi Okezie and Esther Joseph set a new Nigerian national record and African Continental record at the event on 5 May 2024.
The following weekend she lowered her personal best to 50.57 seconds at the SEC championships in Florida. The time met the 2024 Olympic qualifying standard and made her the fastest Nigerian woman since Falilat Ogunkoya ran 50.50s in 2001, and placed her fifth on the Nigerian all-time list.
| Personal information | |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Born | 25 March 2005 (age 19) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Athletics |
| Event | Sprint |
| College team | LSU Lady Tigers |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best(s) | 400m: 50.57 (Gainesville, 2024) |
| Medal record Women’s athletics Representing Nigeria, African Championships 2022 Saint Pierre Mixed 4×400 m relay 2022 Saint Pierre 4×400 m relay World Athletics U20 Championships 2021 Nairobi4x400 m relay 2021 Nairobi Mixed 4×400 m relay | |
