Nigeria will be strongly represented at the historic 50th edition of the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, with five athletes taking center stage individually alongside some of the biggest names in global athletics. Nigerian Sprints, Favour Ofili and Ezekiel Nathaniel will make their career debuts in the Diamond League circuit at Hayward Field, marking a major milestone in their rising international profiles.
Nathaniel, the reigning NCAA 400m hurdles champion, has enjoyed a stellar 2025 season. He clinched the US collegiate title in Eugene with a time of 47.49s and earlier in the year set a new African indoor record in the 400m with a time of 44.74s.
His consistency on the American circuit earned him the NCAA Men’s Track Athlete of the Year award. Nathaniel will now test himself against global powerhouses, including Olympic gold medallist Rai Benjamin, world bronze medallist Alison dos Santos, and Qatari star Abderrahman Samba.
Favour Ofili will line up in the women’s 100m, one of the meet’s most anticipated events, featuring a full rematch of the 2024 Olympic podium. The Nigerian sprinter, who continues to lower her personal bests and build her résumé on the professional scene, will race against Saint Lucia’s Olympic gold medallist Julien Alfred, USA’s Sha’Carri Richardson, and bronze medallist Melissa Jefferson-Wooden.
Other Nigerian Athletes in Action
Other Nigerian athletes competing in the Prefontaine Classic include:
- Tobi Amusan: The 100m hurdles world record holder and three-time Diamond League champion returns to Hayward Field, where she made history in 2022, shattering the world record with 12.12s. She will compete against reigning Olympic champion Masai Russell of the United States and Puerto Rico’s Jasmine Camacho-Quinn.
- Chukwuebuka Enekwechi: The seventh-ranked shot putter will go head-to-head with the world’s best, including American duo Joe Kovacs and Ryan Crouser, and Jamaica’s Rajindra Campbell. Enekwechi enters with a season’s best of 21.62m and remains Nigeria’s leading thrower with a personal best of 21.91m.
- Rosemary Chukwuma: The former Youth Olympic champion and 2019 African Games gold medallist will compete in the women’s 100m invitational event, looking to reassert herself on the international stage against a strong field.
The Prefontaine Classic will host nearly 300 athletes from over 40 countries, featuring 27 professional events, including 17 Diamond League disciplines.
A total of 98 Olympic and Paralympic medallists, including 48 gold medallists and 14 world record holders, will compete, making this year’s edition one of the most talent-laden single-day track meets ever assembled. The meet kicks off at 6:00 pm Nigeria time and will be broadcast live globally.