Nigerian sprint sensation Kayinsola Ajayi delivered a hard-fought bronze medal in the men’s 100m final at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on Tuesday, clocking 9.90 seconds in wet conditions at Scotstoun Stadium.
The 21-year-old, Nigeria’s sole finalist in the event, finished behind Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme, who stormed to gold in a Games record 9.83 seconds, and Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy, who took silver in a personal best 9.85.
Four athletes broke the 10-second barrier despite the rain, marking one of the deepest sprint finals in recent Commonwealth Games history.
Ajayi’s podium finish ends a 20-year drought for Nigeria in the men’s 100m.
The last Nigerian to medal was Olusoji Fasuba, who won silver in 2006.
The Auburn University standout and Nigerian national record holder (9.84) had dominated the semi-finals and entered the final as one of the favourites after strong Diamond League and NCAA form earlier in 2026.
“I’m not scared of anybody,” Ajayi had declared ahead of the Games.
On the night, he held his form through the challenging conditions to secure Nigeria’s first athletics medal of the competition in the blue-ribbon event.
Team Nigeria’s medal table progress
Team Nigeria remains Africa’s highest-ranked nation and sits firmly in the top five of the overall Glasgow 2026 medal table.
After Day Five updates, Nigeria holds 6 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze medals for a total of 12, placing fifth behind Australia, Canada, England and host Scotland.
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The contingent has shown consistent strength across weight categories and combat sports, with notable contributions in para powerlifting and other disciplines keeping the Green-White-Green flag flying high.
Ajayi’s bronze adds valuable momentum as the Games head into the final stretch, with more athletics events, including relays, still to come before the August 2 closing ceremony.
Nigeria’s solid standing underscores the country’s depth in Commonwealth competition and positions the team as a strong contender to finish among the leading African nations by the end of Glasgow 2026.
Kayinsola Ajayi’s 100m bronze, Team Nigeria medal table, Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games results, Nigerian sprinter bronze medal, men’s 100m final Commonwealth Games 2026.
