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Nathaniel books 400m hurdles semifinal spot at World Championships

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Team Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel produced a good run on Monday, winning his heat in the men’s 400m hurdles at the World Athletics Championships to advance to the semifinals.

He clocked 48.37 seconds, a display that marked him out as one of the athletes to watch as the competition progresses.

The 48.37s run combined speed with technical poise over the barriers, as Nathaniel maintained a smooth, powerful rhythm from the gun to the line.

His controlled hurdles technique and strong finish left spectators and coaches impressed and signalled his readiness to challenge deeper into the championships.

American Caleb Dean chased home Nathaniel in the same heat, crossing the line in 48.67s, while Brazil’s Francisco Dos Reis Viana posted a personal best of 48.69s to take third.

Nathaniel’s heat victory represents a major step in his career and boosts his medal hopes should he carry the form into the later rounds.

His NR currently ranks him fifth in the world, making him a top challenger for a medal in Tokyo.

If successful, it will make him Nigeria’s first medallist in the event in history.

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Amusan wins silver at World Athletics Championships

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Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan has won silver in the women’s 100 metres hurdles at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Monday, finishing behind Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji, who stunned the field to take gold in a national record.

Kambundji, 23, stormed to victory in 12.24s, eclipsing her previous best to secure Switzerland’s first-ever world title in the event.

Amusan, the 2022 champion and world record holder, followed closely in 12.29s to earn Nigeria’s 12th medal in World Championships history.

The bronze went to American Grace Stark, who crossed in 12.34s, while her compatriot Masai Russell placed fourth in 12.44s after a sluggish reaction time of 0.240, the slowest in the field.

Poland’s Pia Skrzyszowska equalled her season’s best with 12.49s for fifth, just edging Bahamian Devynne Charlton who clocked the same time. Jamaica’s Danielle Williams, the 2023 world champion, finished seventh in 12.53s, and Nadine Visser of the Netherlands completed the line-up in eighth with 12.56s.

Amusan had earlier looked in commanding form in the semi-final, winning her race in 12.36s ahead of Visser and Skrzyszowska to set up hopes of retaining her crown. But in the final, despite a strong start, she was unable to match Kambundji’s late surge.

The result means Amusan, 28, adds another silver medal to Nigeria’s tally at the World Championships, following her historic gold in Eugene in 2022 when she set the world record of 12.12s.

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2025 World Championships: Tobi Amusan cruises into 100m hurdles semi-finals

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Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan has booked her place in the semifinals of the women’s 100m hurdles at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

The defending champion, who won gold at the 2022 edition in Oregon and finished sixth at Budapest 2023, looked in sharp form as she dominated heat six with a time of 12.53 seconds to advance comfortably on Sunday, September 14..

Bahamas’ Devynne Charlton, the world indoor champion and one of Amusan’s main rivals, came second in 12.69s, while Italy’s Elena Carraro placed third in 12.86s to also secure qualification.

Amusan, who holds the world record of 12.12s set in 2022, is aiming to reclaim her world title after losing it last year. Her progression to the semis keeps Nigeria’s medal hopes alive in Tokyo.

Elsewhere, Nigeria’s Kanyinsola Ajayi and Israel Okon will feature in the men’s 100m semi-finals later today (Sunday), as the country continues its push for podium finishes at the Championships.

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PHOTOS: Boxing Champ Ricky Hatton dead at 46, months before scheduled comeback

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British boxing legend, Ricky Hatton has died at the age of 46.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that a body was found at an address in Hyde, near Manchester, early Sunday morning. “The death is not being treated as suspicious,” a police spokesperson said.

Hatton, nicknamed The Hitman, was a former world champion at light-welterweight and welterweight. He retired in 2012 with an impressive record of 45 wins from 48 fights. Known for his relentless pressure style and loyal fan base, Hatton was one of Britain’s most popular fighters of his era.

At the peak of his career, Hatton famously stopped Australian great Kostya Tszyu in 2005 to claim the IBF light-welterweight title, a performance many considered his finest. He went on to fight some of the sport’s biggest names, including Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Hatton began his career with a perfect 43-0 record before suffering his first defeat to Mayweather in 2007.

Outside the ring, Hatton openly battled mental health struggles, substance abuse, and depression. In interviews, he admitted to multiple suicide attempts and described his lifestyle after boxing as “a runaway train” fueled by alcohol and drugs.

Despite these challenges, Hatton had announced earlier this year that he planned a comeback fight in Dubai in late 2025. He had recently posted training videos on Instagram, sparking excitement among fans for his return.

Tributes are already pouring in from across the boxing world. Manny Pacquiao, who fought Hatton in 2009, described him as “a warrior in the ring and a gentleman outside of it.” Promoter Frank Warren called him “a true British great who inspired a generation.”

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