Nigeria sprint star Kayinsola Ajayi has declared himself ready to bring his impressive season to a spectacular conclusion as he targets a podium finish at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Hungary.
Ajayi will line up in a star-studded men’s 100m field at the three-day championship, which runs from September 11 to 13, with the Nigerian determined to challenge some of the world’s fastest men for the newly created Ultimate Champion crown.
The 21-year-old said his objective is straightforward — compete strongly, finish the season on a high and put himself in contention for a place on the podium.
There is also a significant financial incentive awaiting the athletes in Budapest.
World Athletics has put together a record $10 million prize purse, the largest ever offered at a single track and field event, with each individual champion receiving $150,000.
Second place will earn $75,000, while bronze medallists will receive $40,000, ensuring there is plenty at stake when Ajayi takes to the track.
Ajayi enters the championship with a 9.84-second season and personal best, making him one of the quickest athletes in a formidable 100m field.
World Athletics has identified the Nigerian as one of the men capable of challenging reigning world champion Oblique Seville, who enters with a season’s best of 9.82 seconds.
Ajayi will also face established sprint stars including Letsile Tebogo, Christian Coleman, Akani Simbine, Kenny Bednarek, Trayvon Bromell and Marcell Jacobs.
The men’s 100m semifinals are scheduled for Saturday, September 12, with the final taking place later the same evening.
Only the top four athletes from each semifinal will qualify for the final, leaving virtually no margin for error in the championship’s fast-paced format.
Ajayi is part of Nigeria’s contingent at the historic competition alongside leading athletes including Tobi Amusan, Nathaniel Ezekiel, Udodi Onwuzurike and Ella Onojuvwevwo.
A total of 381 athletes from 65 federations will compete across 28 disciplines in Budapest, bringing together Olympic champions, world champions, Diamond League winners and many of the best-performing athletes of the 2026 season.
For Ajayi, however, the focus is on one final opportunity to demonstrate his progress against the world’s elite.
A podium finish would provide a fitting conclusion to his season, while victory would come with the added reward of a $150,000 payday and the distinction of becoming the first men’s 100m champion in the history of the Ultimate Championship.
One final race weekend, the world’s fastest men and $150,000 at stake — Ajayi is heading into Budapest determined to make his last statement of the season his biggest.
