Nigeria’s star sprinter, Kanyinsola Ajayi has written his name into athletics history after storming into the men’s 100m final at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, becoming the first Nigerian man in 18 years to achieve the feat.
The 20-year-old clocked 9.93 seconds to finish second in his semifinal heat on Sunday, securing automatic qualification for the final and rekindling memories of Olusoji Fasuba, who last flew Nigeria’s flag in the 100m final at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka.
Later in the evening, Ajayi produced another gutsy run, clocking 10.00 seconds to finish 6th in the men’s 100m final behind winner Oblique Seville, Thompson, Lyles, Bednarek, and Leotlela.
Though he missed out on a medal, Ajayi’s historic final appearance was hailed as a “befitting birthday gift” for the 20-year-old and a breakthrough moment for Nigerian athletics.
Blistering Runs in Tokyo
Kanyinsola Ajayi announced himself in Tokyo with a stunning 9.88 seconds in the heats a time that elevated him to third on Nigeria’s all-time list, behind Fasuba’s national record of 9.85s and Divine Oduduru’s 9.86s.
In the semifinal, drawn against a stacked lineup that included USA’s Noah Lyles, Italy’s Olympic champion Marcell Lamont Jacobs, and South Africa’s Akani Simbine, Ajayi held his nerve to cross the line in 9.93s, sealing his place in the most prestigious sprint final in world athletics.
Kanyinsola Ajayi Breaks Nigeria’s Sprint Drought Broken
Ajayi’s qualification ended an 18-year drought for Nigeria in the men’s 100m final at the World Championships. Fasuba, who remains Nigeria’s fastest man, placed fourth in Osaka 2007, also securing a historic bronze medal at the 2007 World Indoor Championships earlier that year.
Ajayi now carries the weight of a nation hungry for another sprint medal on the world stage.
A Final Packed with African Firepower
Kanyinsola Ajayi carried the weight of a nation hungry for another sprint medal on the world stage into the 100m finals.
The men’s 100m final in Tokyo is was one of the most competitive in recent memory. Ajayi lined up alongside three other African stars, Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo (9.94s SB), South Africa’s Gift Leotlela (9.95s PB), and Akani Simbine (9.96s), meaning half the field (4 of 8 finalists) were Africans.
They battled with global sprint heavyweights including Noah Lyles (USA), Kenneth Bednarek (USA, 9.79s season best), Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson (world-leading 9.75s), and Oblique Seville (Jamaica, 9.93s).
Men’s 100m Final Tokyo
- Jamaica – Oblique Seville (9.77)
- Jamaica – Kishane Thompson (9.82)
- USA – Noah Lyles (9.89)
- USA – Kenneth Bednarek (9.92)
- South Africa – Gift Leotela (9.95)
- Nigeria* – Kanyinsola Ajayi (10.00)
- South Africa – Akani Simbine (10.04)
- Botswana – Letsile Tebogo (Disqualified)
Letsile Tebogo was disqualified from the 100m finals for a false start at the Tokyo 2025 World Championships.
Consistency Defines Ajayi’s Rise
Ajayi’s 2025 season has been remarkable for its consistency. All six of his career sub-10s have come this year:
-
9.96s
-
9.95s
-
9.93s
-
9.92s
-
9.92s
-
9.88s
This consistency places him among the most prolific sub-10 performers in Nigerian history, surpassing benchmarks previously set by Favour Ashe and others.
A Star Just Getting Started
At only 20, Ajayi’s journey is only beginning. His breakthrough in Tokyo has sparked hopes of a medal push at future championships and perhaps even a shot at Fasuba’s long-standing Nigerian record.
