Kanyinsola Ajayi has written his name into Nigerian athletics history after storming into the men’s 100m final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The 21-year-old sprinter clocked 9.93 seconds in the semi-final, finishing second behind American Noah Lyles, who crossed the line in 9.92s. South Africa’s Akani Simbine followed closely in 9.96s.
Ajayi’s qualification ends Nigeria’s 18-year wait for a place in the blue-riband event final, last achieved by Olusoji Fasuba at the 2007 Championships in Osaka, Japan.
The feat comes with extra significance for Ajayi, who celebrates his birthday on the same day as his landmark achievement.
For the first time in history, four African sprinters will contest the men’s 100m final at a World Championships, representing half of the eight-man line-up.
Photo Credit: Making of Champions
Joining Ajayi are Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, who ran a season’s best of 9.94s, and the South African pair of Gift Leotlela (9.95s) and Akani Simbine (9.96s).
Ajayi’s journey from the streets of Ikorodu, Lagos, to the global stage has made him one of the breakout stars of Tokyo 2025.
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Kanyinsola Ajayi storms into the men’s 100m final. Photo Credit: Making of Champions
It was, however, a contrasting story for Nigeria in the men’s 400m.
Samuel Ogazi, competing with heavy strapping on his right thigh, finished fifth in heat three with a time of 45.97s. He later admitted in the mixed zone that he was not at 100% fitness but pushed through for the country, with Nigeria fielding just two athletes in the event.
Jacory Patterson of the United States won the race in 43.90s, ahead of Jamaica’s Rusheen McDonald (44.38s). Botswana’s Collen Kebinatshipi was fourth in 44.48s.
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Chidi Okezie, Nigeria’s second entrant, placed eighth in his heat in 45.66s.
A disappointed Chidi Okezie. Photo Credit: Making of Champions
Botswana’s Bayapo Ndori won the race in 44.36s, followed by Japan’s Yuki Nakajima, who set a new national record of 44.44s. Jamaica’s Bovel McPherson came third in 44.51s, a personal best.
What comes next
Ajayi will return later today to line up in his first-ever global championship final, with Nigeria watching keenly as he bids to follow in the footsteps of Fasuba and challenge for a medal on the world stage.
