Another ‘Nigerian’ Ejiasian Breaks U18 60m Hurdles World Record
French-Nigerian prodigy Jared Ejiasian has smashed the U18 world record in the men’s 60m hurdles, clocking 7.43 seconds at the French U18 and U20 championships in Val-de-Reuil.
The 16-year-old’s blistering run eclipsed Sasha Zhoya’s 2019 mark by five hundredths of a second, underlining his rapid rise in global athletics.
Ejiasian, who represents AC Nord Val d’Oise, had already set an African U18 record in January with a 7.57s performance at the Tempo Run League.
Born in Nigeria but raised in France, he is currently competing under Nigeria’s flag, though reports suggest he is pursuing French naturalization and he is registered as a Nigerian on his World Athletics profile page.
His record-breaking run adds to a growing list of Nigerian-born athletes excelling internationally, often choosing to represent other nations due to administrative shortcomings at home.
The trend is evident across Europe. Annabel Fasuba, daughter of former African 100m record holder Olusoji Fasuba, stormed to the England U17 60m title in Sheffield with a 7.36s run, the third-fastest U18 time globally this year and she is not yet 15.
Divine Iheme, son of another ex-Nigerian international, won England’s U18 boys’ 60m in 6.68s, ranking him second worldwide in 2026.
Meanwhile, Sunday Akitan has switched allegiance to Qatar, posting a sensational 6.46s, equalling Nigeria’s national record and standing as the second-fastest 60m time globally this year.
Ejiasian’s breakthrough, alongside Fasuba, Iheme, and Akitan, highlights both the depth of Nigerian sprinting talent and the persistent issue of athletes opting to compete for other nations.
It is a reminder of the untapped potential within Nigeria’s athletics pipeline, and the urgent need for stronger structures to retain and nurture stars.
