Nigerian sprinting sensation Kanyinsola Ajayi announced himself on the global stage in emphatic fashion on Wednesday night, clocking a blistering 9.92 seconds (1.6 m/s) to win his 100m semifinal at the NCAA Championships in Oregon.
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Ajayi’s run was not only a massive Personal Best (PB), but also a statement of intent ahead of the final, as he advanced with the fastest qualifying time in the field. The performance now places him 4th on Nigeria’s all-time list of fastest men, behind only Olusoji Fasuba (9.85s), Divine Oduduru (9.86s), and Godson Brume (9.90s).
The time also marks a breakthrough moment for the collegiate athlete, who has steadily built momentum this season with a string of strong performances. But few anticipated such a dramatic drop in time at one of the sport’s biggest collegiate stages.
Speaking after the race, Ajayi said: “I knew I had a fast race in me, but to run 9.92… that’s a dream. I’m grateful to God, my coaches, and everyone who’s supported me.”
The performance has not only ignited excitement among Nigerian athletics fans but also placed Ajayi firmly in the conversation ahead of the Paris 2025 World Championships and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, where Nigeria will be counting on emerging stars to break into the medal ranks
