Ajayi Kanyinsola Ends Nigeria’s 18 Year Wait for World 100m Final Appearance
Written by Alonge Akinlolu on 14 — 09
History was written on the tracks of Tokyo on Sunday as Ajayi Kanyinsola became the first Nigerian man in 18 years to qualify for the men’s 100m final at the World Athletics Championships.
Ajayi, running with confidence and poise, stormed to 9.93 seconds in his semifinal, finishing second behind Olympic champion Noah Lyles (9.92s) to secure his place in the final. The milestone marks Nigeria’s return to the global 100m spotlight, with Ajayi following in the footsteps of Olusoji Fasuba, who last achieved the feat in 2007.
Although Ajayi could not make the podium in the final, the night belonged to Jamaica’s Oblique Seville, who delivered the performance of his life to clinch gold in a new personal best of 9.77s (0.3). Fellow Jamaican Kishane Thompson took silver in 9.82s, while American star Noah Lyles claimed bronze with 9.89s.
