Kanyinsola Ajayi shatters 18-year jinx, flies Nigeria into World 100m final

History was made in Tokyo on Saturday as Kanyinsola Ajayi became the first Nigerian man in 18 years to qualify for a World Championships 100m final, after clocking 9.93 seconds in his semifinal race.

Ajayi, 21, finished second in his semifinal behind Jamaica’s Oblique Seville (9.92s), sealing his spot in the final and ending Nigeria’s long wait since Olusoji Fasuba last achieved the feat in 2007.

It has been a dream debut tournament for Ajayi, who had earlier announced himself in the heats with a blistering 9.88s — a new personal best that moved him up to third on Nigeria’s all-time list, behind Fasuba (9.85s) and Divine Oduduru (9.86s).

The young sprinter has also equalled the national record for most sub-10 second runs in a season, with five already under his belt in 2025.

Nigeria’s other revelation, Israel Okon Sunday, had raised eyebrows in his debut heat, beating Olympic champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs with a storming 10.04s run to qualify for the semifinals.

Although he narrowly missed out on the final, Okon’s fearless display sent a strong message that Nigeria’s new generation of sprinters are ready to challenge the world.

Meanwhile, in the field events, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi finished fifth in the men’s shot put final, throwing 21.52m after qualifying with 20.83m.

Team Nigeria’s campaign at the 2025 World Athletics Championships continues on Sunday, September 14, as the spotlight shifts to Ajayi in the 100m final — a stage no Nigerian has graced in nearly two decades.

The Championships run in Tokyo until September 21.