Commonwealth Games 400m hurdles champion and Nigerian national record holder, Nathaniel Ezekiel, has announced his sponsorship of the Men’s 400m Hurdles event at the Athletic Heat 10th Anniversary Meet, scheduled for November 7, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria.
The event will be named the Nathaniel Ezekiel 400m Hurdles Showdown, with ₦550,000 in cash prizes for the top eight athletes.
The prize money will be distributed as follows:
- 🥇 1st Place: ₦200,000
- 🥈 2nd Place: ₦100,000
- 🥉 3rd Place: ₦75,000
- 4th Place: ₦50,000
- 5th Place: ₦40,000
- 6th Place: ₦35,000
- 7th Place: ₦30,000
- 8th Place: ₦20,000
Adding further excitement to the competition, Ezekiel has announced an additional ₦250,000 cash bonus for any athlete who runs below 51 seconds, providing an extra incentive for competitors to deliver outstanding performances on the track.
Through this initiative, Ezekiel aims to support the development of athletics in Nigeria, motivate upcoming athletes, and create more opportunities for competitors to earn financial rewards through their performances.
Encouraging athletes who have yet to register, Ezekiel urged them to take advantage of the opportunity and be part of the historic anniversary meet.
He also expressed his appreciation to Athletic Heat for its continued contributions to athletics development over the past decade, while wishing all participating athletes the best in their preparations and competition.
The Athletic Heat 10th Anniversary Meet will bring together athletes from across Nigeria for a celebration of talent, competition, and a decade of impact on the athletics community.
Speaking on the sponsorship, Athletic Heat CEO Ese Oguma expressed gratitude to Ezekiel for supporting the initiative.
“We are sincerely grateful to Nathaniel Ezekiel for this wonderful show of support. As an athlete who continues to represent Nigeria at the highest level, his decision to invest in the next generation means a lot to us. The additional ₦250,000 bonus for athletes who run under 51 seconds will also give competitors another target to work towards. We appreciate his belief in Athletic Heat and his commitment to creating more opportunities for Nigerian athletes. Thank you, Nathaniel, for being part of our 10-year journey and helping us continue to make an impact,” Oguma said.
Athletes who have not registered are encouraged to complete their registration and prepare to compete at the Athletic Heat 10th Anniversary Meet on November 7, 2026, at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex in Lagos.
With the combination of prize money and a performance-based bonus, the Nathaniel Ezekiel 400m Hurdles Showdown promises to provide athletes with an additional incentive to deliver strong performances at the anniversary meet.