Ajayi, Ogazi Among Athletes Tipped to Break NCAA Records
Nigeria’s sprinting power will be on full display at the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Track and Field Championships, with two of its brightest stars tipped to challenge long-standing collegiate records.
In the 100m, Auburn’s Kanyinsola Ajayi has emerged as the leading contender to topple Tennessee’s Christian Coleman, whose 9.82-second mark has stood since 2017.
Ajayi has been in blistering form, producing eight wind-legal sub-10 performances since 2025, more than any African sprinter in history.
His 9.84-second run at the East First Round meet is now the second-fastest in NCAA history, placing him within striking distance of Coleman’s mark.
Ajayi’s consistency and explosive speed have already seen him tie the indoor 60m collegiate record this season, making him one of the most feared sprinters on the global stage.
In the 400m, Alabama’s Samuel Ogazi is spearheading a stacked field in pursuit of Michael Norman’s 43.61-second record from 2018.
Ogazi has been electric in recent weeks, clocking 43.82, 43.95, and 44.02 in May alone. His progression suggests he is primed to push Norman’s mark to the brink.
Stan Becton, NCAA.com reporter and analyst since 2021, who has covered numerous championship events across football, cross country, and track and field. Becton believes Ajayi and Ogazi’s performances could mark a defining moment not just for NCAA athletics, but for African sprinting as a whole.
Nigeria’s sprinting power will be on full display at the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Track and Field Championships, with two of its brightest stars tipped to challenge long-standing collegiate records.
In the 100m, Auburn’s Kanyinsola Ajayi has emerged as the leading contender to topple Tennessee’s Christian Coleman, whose 9.82-second mark has stood since 2017.
Ajayi has been in blistering form, producing eight wind-legal sub-10 performances since 2025, more than any African sprinter in history.
His 9.84-second run at the East First Round meet is now the second-fastest in NCAA history, placing him within striking distance of Coleman’s mark.
Ajayi’s consistency and explosive speed have already seen him tie the indoor 60m collegiate record this season, making him one of the most feared sprinters on the global stage.
In the 400m, Alabama’s Samuel Ogazi is spearheading a stacked field in pursuit of Michael Norman’s 43.61-second record from 2018.
Ogazi has been electric in recent weeks, clocking 43.82, 43.95, and 44.02 in May alone. His progression suggests he is primed to push Norman’s mark to the brink.
Stan Becton, NCAA.com reporter and analyst since 2021, who has covered numerous championship events across football, cross country, and track and field. Becton believes Ajayi and Ogazi’s performances could mark a defining moment not just for NCAA athletics, but for African sprinting as a whole.
