Photo by: Crimson Tide Photos / UA Athletics
Samuel Ogazi, Fotopoulou Sisters Qualify for World Championships
9/5/2025 12:01:00 PM | Track & Field, Cross Country
Ogazi (men’s 400m) will represent Nigeria, as Olivia Fotopoulou (women’s 200m) and twin sister Filippa (women’s long jump) will compete for the country of Cyprus
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A trio of current and former Alabama track and field student-athletes have qualified to the World Athletics Championships, held Sept. 13-21 in Tokyo.
Reigning NCAA outdoor 400-meter national champion Samuel Ogazi will return to the event for the international meet, as former UA athletes Olivia and Filippa Fotopoulou will compete in the women's 200m and the long jump, respectively.
About Samuel Ogazi
- Entering his junior season as a member of the Crimson Tide
- 2024 Paris Olympics finalist in the men's 400m, representing his country of Nigeria
- Five-time All-American
- Claimed the 2025 NCAA outdoor national title in the men's 400m, clocking the only sub-45 time in the event final (44.84)
- 2025 Southeastern Conference gold medalist in the men's 400m (45.04)
About Olivia Fotopoulou
- Competed at Alabama from 2015-18
- Made her Olympics debut at the 2024 Paris Games, qualifying in both the women's 100m and 200m
- 12-time Cyprus national champion as a professional athlete
- Appeared in multiple postseason meets while competing as a student-athlete at Alabama
- Accumulated close to a dozen top-10 finishes in her final season at UA
About Filippa Fotopoulou
- Competed at Alabama from 2015-18
- Seven-time national champion as a professional athlete
- Earned honorable mention All-America honors in 2015 and 2017 in outdoor long jump
- Still holds the No. 4 all-time mark in UA women's indoor long jump at 6.34m (20-9.75)
- Sits at No. 8 all-time in Alabama women's outdoor long jump at 6.33m (20-9.25)
Players Mentioned
Sprints
/ Track & Field, Cross CountrySEC Cross Country Championships:
Friday, November 01
Harvey Glance Tide and Tigers Dual Meet: Coach Waters
Friday, January 12
SEC Cross Country Championships Recap: Coach Waters
Saturday, October 28
Southern Showcase Recap: Coach Waters
Friday, September 15
