Innocent Egbunike, the celebrated Nigerian quartermiler based in the United States, has expressed immense excitement over Samuel Ogazi's stunning performance at the Torrin Lawrence Memorial in Athens. The 19-year-old prodigy clocked a blistering 44.02 seconds to shatter Egbunike's long-standing Nigerian 400m record of 44.17 seconds, which had stood for 39 years since August 1987 in Zurich.
Ogazi's remarkable run not only marked a personal best, improving on his previous mark of 44.41 seconds, but also propelled him to sixth on the African all-time list, making him the top quartermiler on the continent. The performance also set a new University of Alabama school record and ranks as the sixth fastest time in collegiate history.
Egbunike's heartfelt congratulations
In a Facebook post, Egbunike praised Ogazi's achievement while reflecting on the legacy of Nigerian athletics. He wrote: "Congratulations Ogazi. It is with great enthusiasm that I join members of the sports family in Nigeria and beyond in congratulating Samuel Ogazi, who just broke my Nigerian 400m record.
"I am thankful to God for allowing me to stand on the shoulders of those before me, like Dele Udo, Sunday Uti (who had the national record before me), as well as my teammates like Moses Ugbusien and Rotimi Peters, and those who came after us, such as late Sunday Bada and Clement Chukwu, to mention a few.
"I appreciate God's blessing in paving the way for others, having held the record for 39 years. Records are made to be broken, and I sincerely congratulate Samuel on this incredible achievement. Well done, young man."
Advice for the new record holder
Egbunike, fondly called Ejima, urged Ogazi to remain humble in his new role as Nigeria's 400m record holder. He added: "I pray that God continues to guide and bless you. Stay humble and be a blessing to everyone around you. As the new face of Nigeria in the 400 metres, you now have the responsibility to lead by example.
"Stay confident but humble, and use your talent to honour and worship God. Remember to keep close to those who knew you before your rise, stay committed to your education (for knowledge is power), walk with integrity, and inspire others through your abilities.
"Samuel, I wish you continued success in all your future pursuits. God bless you and shalom."
Egbunike's legacy
Egbunike won Nigeria's first track medal at the World Championships when he claimed silver in the 400m in Rome in 1987. He was also part of the 4x400m relay team that won bronze at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. His record, held for nearly four decades, now passes to a new generation.
