Kanyinsola Ajayi just rewrote Nigerian sprinting history. The 21-year-old Auburn University sprinter clocked 9.84s in the 100m at the NCAA East Regionals, breaking Olusoji Fasuba’s 9.85s national record that stood since 2006.
With a legal +0.4m/s wind, Ajayi won his heat, qualified for NCAA Championships, and shot to No. 1 in the world for 2026. He also posted the 2nd-fastest collegiate 100m ever. A record that lasted nearly 20 years is gone, and a new era just started.
Here are what you probably don’t know about Kanyinsola Ajayi
He was born Sept 14, 2004 in Nigeria
He was raised in Ikorodu, Lagos
He started as a footballer before switching to track
His sprint journey began at the 2021 Maltina School Games where he won both sprints for his school
He ran away with Nigerian junior meets 2021–2023
He won Maltina School Games titles + became African U20 100m champion in 2023
At 20, he displayed his rare sprint skills at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo and earned the followings:
– 9.88s in heats → 3rd fastest Nigerian ever
– 9.93s in semis
– 6th in final → first Nigerian man in a World Champs 100m final since Olusoji Fasuba in 2007
He ended 2025 as world no. 2 behind Akani Simbine, with multiple sub-10s.
As a student-athlete at Auburn University, USA, he won 2026 NCAA Indoor 60m in 6.45s → African indoor record holder.
On May 30, 2026, he ran 9.84s (+0.4) at NCAA East Prelims in Lexington.
He broke Fasuba’s 20-year Nigerian record of 9.85s from 2006.
He is now Nigeria’s national record holder, world leader for 2026, and 2nd all-time in NCAA history behind Christian Coleman’s 9.82s.
He specializes in 100m, 200m, and 60m indoor. PBs: 9.84s / 20.93s / 6.45s.
Coaches praise his explosive start, top-end speed, and big-race composure.
His formula: “hard work, faith, and trusting the process.”
With the NCAA Outdoors + World Championships coming, he’s tipped as Nigeria’s best medal hope in men’s 100m.
Target: sub-9.80 and Nigeria’s first global 100m medal since the Fasuba era.
