Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi clocked an impressive 9.88 seconds to finish second in the heats and advance to the men’s 100m semi-finals at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo
World Athletics: Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi Storms into 100m Semi-Finals with 9.88s Run
Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi delivered a blistering performance at the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, storming into the men’s 100m semi-finals with a personal best of 9.88 seconds.
The 20-year-old sprinter finished second in his heat behind fellow African, South Africa’s Gift Leotlel, who edged the race with 9.87 seconds at a wind speed of 0.3. Ajayi’s sub-10-second finish now ranks as the ninth-fastest time in the world this year, underlining his growing status as one of athletics’ brightest prospects.
The race was stacked with world-class names, including defending champion Noah Lyles, Jamaican star Kishane Thompson, and Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, all of whom advanced comfortably. Lyles, pushed early by Jamaica’s fast-starting Ackeem Blake, powered through to win his heat in 9.95 seconds, while Blake settled for second in 10.07 seconds.
Ajayi’s qualification has sparked excitement in Nigerian athletics, with many tipping him as a potential finalist if he maintains his explosive form.
The men’s 100m semi-finals are scheduled for 11:45 GMT on Sunday, with the grand final to follow at 13:20 GMT in the Japanese capital. Read More
