Kanyinsola Ajayi: Nigerian Sprinter Breaks 18-Year Record, places 6th in 100m Final at World C’ships
- 21-year-old Kanyinsola Ajayi became the first Nigerian man to qualify for a World Championship 100m final in 18 years
- The National champion finished in 6th position in the 100m final, won by Jamaica's Oblique Seville
- A board member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has shared what Nigerians should expect from the sprinter ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics
CHECK OUT: How to Start Earning with Copywriting in Just 7 Days – Even if You’re a Complete Beginner
Kanyinsola Ajayi has given Nigeria a reason to smile at the 2025 World Athletics Championship in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday afternoon, September 14.
The Ikorodu-born sprinter wrote his name in the history books by becoming the first Nigerian athlete in 18 years to make it into the 100m final event.
Source: Twitter
Ajayi, who turned 21 years today (September 14), clocked 9.93s to finish in second position in the semi-final to secure a place in the final.
The Nigerian sprinter finished in 6th place with a time of 10.00, with Jamaica's Oblique Seville finishing 1st (9.77s), Kishane Thompson of Jamaica in second position (9.82s), while USA's Noah Lyles came third (9.89s).
Who was the Nigerian athlete whose record Ajayi equalled?
Nigeria's 100m champion Kanyinsola Ajayi brought back memories of Olusoji Fasuba, who last made the men’s 100m final for Nigeria in Osaka 2007, where he placed fourth.
Fasuba, who is currently a Royal Navy officer, remains the Nigerian record holder with 9.85 seconds, a mark Ajayi is edging closer to with his lifetime best of 9.88s, during his first race in Tokyo, per Vanguard.
Fasuba held the 100m African record with a time of 9.85s until Akani Simbine of South Africa broke the record in 2021 with a time of 9.84s, per Premium Times.
Soetan, Onyali, Nigerians react
Two-time Olympic bronze medallist, Mary Onyali, has joined millions of Nigerians to celebrate the feat achieved by Kanyinsola Ajayi at the World Athletics Championship in Tokyo. She said:
"Happy Birthday our Champ 🏆.
"Congratulations for putting Nigeria on the map of the world."
Source: Getty Images
Others wrote:
Okahia-Nwachukwu Onyii wrote:
"Congratulations Kanyisola.
"I hope the nation you are representing will also do their best to carry you well."
Leke Sanusi added:
"Fantastic achievement. Though he ran 10.00s in the finals and came 5th just some seconds behind the winners. I am happy and proud of kanyisola ajayi. I am praying that this will open him up to surpassing this achievement and possibly a podium finish next time."
Board member of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Lekan Soetan, gave an insight of what Nigerians should expect from the sprinter. He said:
"Seriously, for Seville to run 9.77 and win 100m with his height, then Ajayi equally can run such in few years time, especially at LA28 Olympics," he told Legit.ng.
Ajayi beats Olympics 100m champion
Legit.ng earlier reported that Nigeria's Kanyinsola Ajayi finished in first place with a time of 10.02s to beat Olympic champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs to second place in Heat 5 of Men's 100m at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The newly-crowned Nigerian champion, Ajayi, is enjoying an amazing year, having won the African Championships in Douala, Cameroon, in June 2024.
Source: Legit.ng
