Ajayi Has Potential to Run in the 9.70s, Says AFN Performance Director Victor Okorie
Kanyinsola Ajayi’s stunning 9.84-second performance at the London Diamond League could be even more impressive than the official time suggests, according to Victor Okorie, Performance Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
Ajayi clocked 9.84 seconds while running into a -0.7 m/s headwind, a condition that can significantly slow a sprinter, particularly during the final phase of a race when maximum velocity is reached.
By comparison, Ferdinand Omanyala’s African record of 9.77 seconds in Nairobi was achieved at approximately 1,800 metres above sea level and with a +1.2 m/s tailwind, conditions that reduce air resistance and provide additional assistance.
According to Okorie, the official difference between the two performances is 0.07 seconds, but a deeper analysis of the conditions shows that altitude and wind could account for an estimated advantage of approximately 0.05 to 0.09 seconds.
He believes Ajayi’s 9.84 could therefore be comparable to a performance in the 9.77/9.79 range under neutral conditions.
The AFN performance director also highlighted Ajayi’s consistency, noting that repeatedly producing world-class times is a stronger indication of genuine elite ability than running a single exceptional race.
Based on the Nigerian sprinter’s current form and technical development, Okorie believes Ajayi has the potential to run in the 9.70s, with a realistic target of between 9.74 and 9.77 seconds under ideal conditions.
A performance in that range would put Ajayi in position to reclaim the African 100m record for Nigeria. Olusoji Fasuba previously held the continental record before South Africa’s Akani Simbine (9.84) broke it in July 2021.
Ferdinand Omanyala then lowered the record to 9.77 seconds in September of the same year, a mark that remains the African record.
Ajayi could also make history by becoming the first Nigerian sprinter to break the 9.80-second barrier in the men’s 100m. Beyond the clock, his development has raised hopes that he could become the first Nigerian man to win a global 100m title, beginning with the ultimate prize at the World Ultimate Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
‘Kanyinsola Ajayi is not just a 9.84 runner. He is already competing at the level of the world’s best sprinters, and Nigeria has a special talent capable of achieving historic things,’ Okorie said.
‘Officially, Ferdinand Omanyala’s 9.77 remains the faster time, and records belong to the clock. However, when we analyse the quality of performances, the conditions reveal the true level of an athlete. Numbers do not lie. They simply need proper analysis.’
