Sprint sensation Ezechukwu joins Auburn University

Nigerian sprint prospect Miracle Ezechukwu has joined Auburn University’s track and field programme, becoming the latest athlete from the country to earn a place in the United States collegiate system, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The seventeen-year-old links up with sprinting compatriots Kayinsola Ajayi and Israel Okon at the school, adding further Nigerian presence to one of the most competitive NCAA Division I environments.

Ezechukwu arrives at Auburn after a period of rapid progress across national and continental age-grade competitions.

“Speed just got even faster. Welcome to the Auburn Family, Miracle,” the institution announced in a statement across their track and field social media accounts on Monday evening.

Her latest step into the NCAA system follows nearly two years of steady improvement.

In November 2023, at a meet organised by world record holder Tobi Amusan in Ijebu Ode, she won three gold medals and was named most valuable athlete. Months later, she cemented her status as one of Nigeria’s brightest young sprinters at the African age-grade championships in Abeokuta, where she completed a clean sweep in the 100m, 200m, and the sprint medley relay.

She won the 100m title in 11.88s, before doubling up with a personal best of 23.87s in the 200m, leading another Nigerian podium sweep.

Speaking after that competition, she told PUNCH Sports Extra that representing her country had long been her ambition.

“I’ve been training hard to do this. My dream has always been to represent Nigeria and break my personal best in the 200m,” she said.

“Crossing the finish line and seeing the time, I wanted to cry. I’ve been chasing that mark, and here, God did everything.”

She expressed gratitude for her personal best in the 200 m and said her victory felt like the fulfilment of a long-held dream to become an African under-18 champion.

Her development has been shaped by Nigerian Tulip International School and the N-Youth Sports Academy, under coaches Felix Onoriode and Abdulhakeem Idris.

Coach Idris, who has worked closely with her, described her rise as the product of discipline, resilience, and determination, noting that she has consistently progressed despite early setbacks.

One of those challenges came at the 2024 International School Sports Federation Games in Bahrain, where she was disqualified in the 100m. She responded by taking silver in the 200m.

She added further distinction at the African school games in Algiers, winning the 200m title in 23.40s.

Ezechukwu has also shown maturity beyond her years, having lived away from her family during her schooling and training.

In earlier comments to PUNCH Sports Extra, she admitted the difficulty of being far from home but said the opportunity had strengthened her focus and ambition.

“We train two and a half hours from Monday to Friday, and that keeps me focused even though I miss my family, especially my mom. It’s been very tough to cope, but I am focused on making my life better through this scholarship because I get everything I want to become great from the school,” she told PUNCH Sports Extra in 2023.

This move to Auburn places her in a structured programme with world-class coaching and regular exposure to elite collegiate competition.

Nigerian athletics followers will view her transition with interest, given her steady rise and the expectation that she could progress into the senior ranks and compete internationally in the years ahead.

Still short of her peak and continuing to refine her craft, Ezechukwu’s path now runs through the NCAA system. With momentum behind her and a growing list of titles, she takes the next step in a career tipped for even greater achievements.