Nigeria’s sprint sensation Kanyinsola Ajayi delivered a performance for the ages after storming to a breathtaking 6.45 seconds in the men’s 60m at the SEC Indoor Championships, rewriting history in emphatic fashion.
The electrifying run not only secured him gold but also shattered Nigeria’s long-standing national record of 6.48 seconds set in 1999 by Deji Aliu.
In the process, Ajayi equalled the African record of 6.45 seconds held by Leonard Myles-Mills, cementing his place among the continent’s sprint elite.
As if that was not enough, Ajayi’s time also matched the NCAA record previously set by world champion Christian Coleman, underlining the magnitude of his achievement on the collegiate stage.
The race itself was fiercely competitive.
Ajayi powered clear of the field, finishing ahead of Jelani Watkins, who clocked 6.53 seconds, while fellow Nigerian and teammate Israel Okon claimed bronze in 6.54 seconds to complete an impressive outing for the Nigerian contingent.
Ajayi’s 6.45s now stands as:
✅ African Record (joint)
✅ New Nigerian National Record
✅ NCAA Record (joint)
🥇 SEC Indoor Champion
The landmark performance signals Ajayi’s growing status as one of the fastest men in the world over the short sprint and raises expectations ahead of the global outdoor season.
For Nigerian athletics, it marks a symbolic passing of the torch — from the era of Deji Aliu to a new generation led by Kanyinsola Ajayi, whose blistering acceleration is redefining African sprinting history.
