TOKYO 2025: Ezekiel finished fourth with a new national record, as the winner Benjamin was stripped and reinstated
Drama has Nigeria Nathaniel Ezekiel, who finished fourth in the Men's 400m hurdles final with a new national record of 47.11s, was upgraded to bronze medal position after USA Rai Benjamin, who won the race, was disqualified. But Benjamin has been reinstated as the winner after he appealed
It was a rollercoaster few minutes for Benjamin –
He won the final by a significant distance, but was disqualified after he clipped his final hurdle, which inadvertently nudged a rival's hurdle out of place on the neighbouring lane.
It was a harsh call, and it has been overturned. It means Benjamin is now officially a world and Olympic champion.
The crown Benjamin was wearing when he was told of his disqualification is now firmly back on his head. Good for him.
‘'Very unfair if he loses his title,'’ said Jessica Ennis-Hill, the three-time world heptathlon champion, on BBC Two
’’For me, that seems completely insane. He hit the barrier, but not on purpose; it wouldn't affect the standings of the race at the end of the day. The athlete who is affected still clears the hurdle. I feel this is very unfair if he is going to lose his world title for that mistake. Obviously, the USA will appeal this. It is heart-wrenching for him to celebrate, then find out that the title may be gone” Shortly after, Benjamin was reinstated.
