Akintola blazes to 10.18 meeting record in Czech Republic

Nigeria’s Alaba Akintola continued his European sprint tour in emphatic fashion, storming to victory in the men’s 100m at the 47th edition of the Grand Prix Nové Město nad Metují , a World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze event held at the General Klapálek’s Stadium in Czech Republic.

Competing in his third race in nine days, Akintola clocked 10.41s in the semifinals, trailing only Jamaica’s Odaine McPherson who ran 10.40s. But in the final, the 23-year-old Nigerian unleashed a powerful surge to win in 10.18s, battling a slight -0.4 m/s headwind to set a new meeting record.

The time was just 0.01s shy of his season’s best (10.17s), but still short of the 10.00s automatic qualifying standard for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo later this year.

Nevertheless, Akintola’s consistent performances are helping him climb the World Athletics ranking ladder, where he currently trails seven fellow Nigerians: Kanyinsola Ajayi (already qualified), Israel Okon, Favour Ashe, Udodi Onwzurike, Fola Olaoye, Joshua Caleb, and Ushoritse Itshekiri.

While the 100m remains a tough climb, Akintola leads the national rankings in the 200m, and knows that hitting the 20.16s qualifying mark will secure his ticket to Tokyo. With grit and determination fueling his campaign, the Czech leg may prove pivotal in his quest for global competition.