Sports
Nigerian Rocket Ajayi blasts 9.84s to stun London Diamond League
Published By
Kazeem Ugbodaga
Date
18th July, 2026
Quick Read
The Auburn University product and Nigerian record holder clocked a wind-assisted but legal 9.84 seconds (-0.7 m/s) to edge out Jamaica’s reigning world champion Oblique Seville, who finished second in 9.87 seconds.
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Nigerian sprinter Kanyinsola Ajayi continued his meteoric rise on the international stage on Saturday by winning the men’s 100 metres at the London Diamond League meeting.
The Auburn University product and Nigerian record holder clocked a wind-assisted but legal 9.84 seconds (-0.7 m/s) to edge out Jamaica’s reigning world champion Oblique Seville, who finished second in 9.87 seconds.
The victory marks Ajayi’s third sub-9.85 performance of the season and equals his personal and national record.
This result gives the 23-year-old a strong 3-1 head-to-head advantage over Seville this year, following earlier triumphs at the NCAA East Regional and the Prefontaine Classic.
Ajayi’s consistent excellence underscores his transition from collegiate standout to a genuine global sprint contender.
Speaking after the race, Ajayi remained characteristically focused. He emphasised staying in the moment and enjoying the process, while signalling that bigger targets remain on the horizon this season.
The performance cements Ajayi’s status as Nigeria’s leading sprint hope and one of the most exciting young talents in world athletics.
With the 2026 season still unfolding, his ability to deliver under pressure in elite Diamond League fields positions him as a serious medal prospect for future major championships.
Ajayi’s success also highlights the growing depth of Nigerian sprinting talent, building on a rich legacy of speedsters who have made their mark on the global stage.
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