Until Tobi ‘Express’ Amusan clinched a ‘golden’ silver medal in the women’s 100m hurdles finals on Monday at the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, the spotlight was on the record-setting new sensation, sprinter Kanyinsola Ajayi. His powerful showing, finishing sixth in the men’s 100m final, marked a significant moment for Nigeria, as it was the first time an athlete had reached this stage in over 18 years since Olusoji Fasuba did so in 2007. Ajayi’s achievement is not only a testament to Nigeria’s rich sprinting heritage but also a promising sign for its future , reports MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN.
For Kanyinsola Ajayi, the 2025 World Athletics Championships, often referred to as Tokyo 2025, will always be a cherished memory. On September 14th, coinciding with his 21st birthday, Ajayi made headlines by finishing sixth in the men’s 100 meters final.
On that sultry night in Tokyo, he became the first Nigerian in nearly two decades to qualify for the men’s 100m final at the World Championships since Fasuba’s notable performance in 2007. Ajayi blazed through the semifinals with a remarkable time of 9.93 seconds and completed his debut championship performance with a sixth place finish of 10.00 seconds.
“I’m incredibly proud of Ajayi; he truly excelled,” remarked Olusoji Fasuba, the long-standing African record holder in the 100m, who previously clocked an impressive 9.85 seconds until it was narrowly surpassed by South Africa’s Akani Simbine in July 2021. Although Simbine’s record has since fallen to 9.77 seconds, set by Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala, Fasuba remains confident that Ajayi holds the potential to reclaim the African record in the men’s 100m — a category once dominated by Nigerian sprinters.
“I’ve observed Ajayi’s steady progression, and as I stated previously, he’s the one who can break the African record in the 100m,” Fasuba asserted. “While he has started strong, his journey doesn’t end there; he must dominate in Nigeria and continue to excel across Africa. Achieving those titles will propel his confidence as he advances.”
Fasuba believes that Ajayi demonstrated mental readiness and capability necessary for competing at such a high level. However, he emphasized that financial support remains a critical barrier for many Nigerian athletes.
“Throwing money at athletes in the last minute of their preparations for international competitions doesn’t yield results. What they need is peace of mind and a clear indication that Nigeria fully backs them. With that support, I’m confident he can overcome any challenges ahead,” he said.
Despite the absence of full national backing during the Tokyo finals, Ajayi’s impressive performance, where Jamaica’s Oblique Seville claimed gold, proved his capacity to compete with the world’s finest. Fasuba further explained that much of success in such high-pressure finals hinges upon an athlete’s self-belief and mental preparedness.
Turning to the responsibilities of sports officials, Fasuba stressed that both the National Sports Commission and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) need to enhance their support for elite athletes. “Ajayi is mentally ready for the upper echelons of track events,” he insisted, drawing from his own experiences as a gold and silver medallist at prominent competitions at the 2002 Afro-Asian Games in Hyderabad (India) and the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne (Australia). “The only thing he was lacking, and I’ll keep saying it, was the financial level.”
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He continued: “Once you see their potential, start flying them on business class to competitions if you’ve got the money to do that.
“Start giving them enough training grants and constantly too but I’m not talking about $2,000 or $5,000 or whatever little training grant they give.
“Don’t give them their kits two days or one week to the competition. Let the guys have their kits in time and they can train in them and feel the kits. And make good quality kits as well, not just any kits you pick up from anywhere.”
Echoing these sentiments, veteran sprinter Deji Aliu voiced his approval of Ajayi’s performance in Tokyo.
“Ajayi is undoubtedly an athlete for the future. With adequate support, he can achieve even greater success,” Aliu remarked, optimistic about collaborating with the AFN to nurture Ajayi’s potential. He noted that Ajayi’s ability to reach the 100m final wasn’t mere luck — it was a testament to his talent and preparation, regardless of the formidable competitors.
In a dramatic race environment, where pressure is paramount, Aliu reflected on Ajayi’s composure.
“The 100m race demands more than just physical strength; it measures mental stability and execution under pressure,” Aliu, who finished fourth at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester , elaborated. “Ajayi managed the tension and anxiety effectively on the day, showing that he has the mettle required for future success.”
Aliu who together with Innocent Asonze, Francis Obikwelu and Daniel Effiong won a 4 x100m bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics, added: “The 100m race is the most intense and it’s about who can handle pressure most.
“If Letsile Tebogo (Botswana’s ace runner) for instance, had gotten a better start, obviously, we all know what would have happened but the 100m is not about who has ran better, it’s about who is mentally ready on that day.”
Looking ahead, Aliu believes Ajayi has matured as an athlete, ready to face upcoming challenges. “His execution was exemplary, reflecting immense mental preparation. If he maintains this level of competence, Ajayi will surely improve in future competitions,” he predicted.
In light of Ajayi’s commendable performance, Dr. Kolawole Oredipe, an AFN board member, remarked on the resurgence of Nigeria’s sprinting prowess.
“Ajayi has made history — simply qualifying for the final was a monumental achievement,” he commented, recalling the long journeys of past Nigerian greats. “We must continue to build and support this new generation of sprinters; the potential is abundant.”
Whether the necessary support and resources will be allocated to allow these young athletes to achieve their dreams remains to be seen. Still, Ajayi’s breakthrough in Tokyo is heralded as a new dawn for Nigeria’s track and field athletes.
