Amusan, Ajayi in as top Nigerian athletes assemble in Lagos for explosive World Championships Trials
Anticipation is mounting as Nigeria’s finest track and field athletes descend on Lagos for the 2025 World Championships trials, set to take place August 1–3 at the historic Yabatech Sports Ground.
Leading the charge is world record holder Tobi Amusan, who has been training at Yabatech since she arrived in Nigeria.
Amusan, who electrified the world with her 12.12s mark in the 100m hurdles, returns with sights set on her fifth consecutive national title.
She’ll be pushed by rising star Tabugo Adaobi, who has dipped below 13 seconds this season, signaling a fierce showdown in the hurdles.
In the men’s sprints, defending champion Kanyinsola Ajayi arrives to protect his crown, but faces an elite lineup including Fakorede Adekalu (sub-10.20), Okon Israel (10.06), and Favour Ashe (10.08), all of whom are primed for a lightning-fast race.
Udodi Onwuzurike, fresh off the European circuit and boasting a 10.13s performance this year, adds further depth to the fiercely competitive field.
Enoch Adegoke, remembered for his stunning 10.00s run at this very venue in 2021—a performance that qualified him for the Tokyo Olympics—will seek a return to form with another shot at greatness.
His race that year was the fastest at the national trials since Deji Aliu’s iconic 9.98s in 2003.
With the heartbreak of the CAA U18 and U20 Championships in Abeokuta still fresh—where technical failures nullified athletes’ times—the Lagos trials will operate under fully sanctioned conditions, ensuring every mark counts toward global qualification.
Beyond the sprints, Nigeria will witness its NCAA champions in action, with Ezekiel Nathaniel (400m hurdles) and Samuel Ogazi (400m flat) expected to light up the track.
Rising sensation Ella Onojuvwevwo is nearing a sub-50s milestone and will battle seasoned stalwart Patience Okon George, who continues to dominate the local scene with unwavering consistency.
The national trials promise thrilling matchups, blistering times, and unforgettable moments as Nigeria’s best homegrown and overseas talents converge in a bid to represent the green and white on the world stage.
