By RismadarVoice Media
January 2, 2026
World record holder Tobi Amusan has begun the new year on a high note after finishing the 2025 season as the third-best women’s 100m hurdler in the world, according to the latest World Athletics rankings.
Amusan leads a trio of Nigerian athletes: alongside Ezekiel Nathaniel and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi who ended the 2025 season ranked among the world’s top 100 athletes, underlining Nigeria’s strong presence on the global athletics stage.
The 28-year-old hurdling star amassed 1,430 ranking points to finish third in the 100m hurdles, trailing only Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji, who won gold, and American Grace Stark.
Amusan also occupies the 28th position in the overall women’s rankings, making her the only Nigerian woman ranked in the global top five of her discipline.
Her ranking follows a consistent season highlighted by a silver medal finish in the 100m hurdles at the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships.
In the men’s category, Ezekiel Nathaniel enjoyed a breakout year, ending the season as the world’s fifth-ranked 400m hurdler and 15th overall among male athletes.
The 22-year-old made history as the first Nigerian to run the 400m hurdles in under 48 seconds, achieving the feat nine times during the season.
Nathaniel clocked a national record of 47.11 seconds, just 0.01 seconds shy of the African record held by Zambia’s Samuel Matete.
He also impressed on the Diamond League circuit, reaching the final on his debut, finishing third.
Shot putter Chukwuebuka Enekwechi also secured a place among the global elite, finishing the year ranked 100th overall and seventh in his event.
The multiple African champion rounded off his season with a fifth-place finish at the World Championships in Tokyo.
Amusan, Nathaniel and Enekwechi are the only Nigerian athletes to conclude the 2025 season inside the top 10 of their respective disciplines, reaffirming Nigeria’s growing impact in world athletics.
