Kanyinsola Ajayi Breaks Fasuba's 20-Year Nigerian 100m Record with 9.84s
20-year-old Nigerian sprinter Kanyinsola Ajayi has made history by shattering Olusoji Fasuba's long-standing national 100m record at the NCAA East Regionals in the United States. Ajayi clocked an impressive 9.84 seconds, erasing Fasuba's 9.85-second record that had stood for two decades since 2006. The former African champion predicted this talent two years ago and celebrated the new achievement on social media.
Ajayi's record-breaking run not only secured qualification for the NCAA Championships but also moved him to the top of the 2026 world rankings, making him the world-leading time this season. He now ranks as the second-fastest collegiate athlete in history over the 100m distance.
Fasuba described the development as a positive sign for Nigerian athletics, noting that records are meant to inspire the next generation to dream bigger and work harder. The sprint legend believes Ajayi can achieve even more in the years ahead and that Nigeria now has a realistic chance to reclaim the African record. As a nation with rich sprinting heritage, what does Ajayi's achievement mean for the future of Nigerian athletics on the global stage?