History Maker: Ajayi Storms to Third in Diamond League Final
Kanyinsola Ajayi made history on Friday evening when he stormed to third place in the men’s 100m at the Memorial Van Damme Diamond League Final in Brussels, Belgium.
The 21-year-old Nigerian clocked 9.97 seconds to secure the third place finish in a star-studded final, finishing behind world champion Oblique Seville and Commonwealth Games champion Emmanuel Eseme.
Ajayi’s ‘podium’ finish further cemented his place in Nigerian athletics history, as he became the first Nigerian man to compete in the 100m final of the prestigious Diamond League Final.
He had already written his name into the record books earlier this season as the first Nigerian man to win a men’s 100m Diamond League race, claiming victories in Eugene and London before qualifying for the season-ending final in Brussels.
His third-place finish now adds another landmark to a remarkable breakthrough season for the young sprinter, who has emerged as one of Nigeria’s leading names in the event.
Ajayi will now turn his attention to the World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest, Hungary, next weekend, where he will aim to cap his remarkable season by being crowned the Ultimate Champion and collect the $150,000 winner’s prize.
