István Gyulai Memorial: Ajayi’s Showdown Fizzles, Ogazi Falters, Ofili and Enekwechi Keep the Flame Alive
The István Gyulai Memorial in Budapest was meant to be a proving ground for Nigeria’s rising stars.
Instead, it became a night of mixed emotions — a missed showdown, a faltering sprint, and two athletes who kept the country’s hopes alive with podium-worthy grit.
Kanyinsola Ajayi was expected to line up against some of the world’s fastest men in the 100m final — a golden opportunity to test his mettle against Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, Ghana’s Abdul-Rasheed Saminu, and South Africa’s Akani Simbine. But the anticipated clash never materialized.
Ajayi’s absence from the start list left fans and analysts puzzled. Whether due to injury, tactical withdrawal, or selection issues, his no-show denied Nigeria a chance to see its most exciting sprint prospect go head-to-head with the elite.
In a race where Thompson clocked 9.95 and the podium was decided by hundredths of a second, Ajayi’s presence could have added a thrilling dimension — and perhaps rewritten the result sheet.
Samuel Ogazi came into Budapest with expectations riding high. The men’s 400m was stacked, but Ogazi had shown flashes of brilliance this season. Unfortunately, he couldn’t rise to the occasion.
Finishing 7th in 45.85 seconds, Ogazi was well off the pace set by Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga (44.11) and Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards (44.14).
It was a race that demanded sub-45 speed, and Ogazi simply didn’t have the legs on the night. For a runner touted as Nigeria’s next quarter-mile star, the result was a sobering reminder of the gap that still needs closing.
In the men’s shot put, Chukwuebuka Cornnell Enekwechi delivered when it mattered. His throw of 21.15m earned him third place behind global heavyweights Joe Kovacs (USA) and Tom Walsh (NZL).
More importantly, it was a crucial performance ahead of the Silesia Diamond League, where Enekwechi is fighting to retain his sixth-place spot in the overall standings.
Favour Ofili matched Jamaica’s Ashanti Moore stride for stride in the women’s 200m, both crossing the line in 22.31 seconds. But in sprinting, timing is everything — and Moore’s reaction time gave her the edge in a photo finish.
Ofili’s second-place finish was still a strong showing, especially against a world-class field that included Great Britain’s Daryll Neita and France’s Helene Parisot. Yet, for a sprinter of Ofili’s caliber, the difference between gold and silver — just a blink — will sting.
