Incredible Ajayi scorches to 6.51 lifetime best, moves joint fourth in Nigerian all-time list
Okon, Fakorede, Ogundiran also set 6.52, 6.57 and 7.33 PB respectively
Auburn University’s Kanyinsola Ajayi served notice of becoming the next big sprinter in Nigeria when he stormed to a 6.51 finish in the 60m event to qualify for the final at the Tiger Paw Invitational meet in Clemson, South Carolina.
The 20-year-old showed he was up for the contest in the preliminary round when he sped to a 6.58 finish for what was, at the time, his second sub-6.60 run of his career before crossing the finish line in 6.51 in the semis.
Ajayi, the reigning Nigeria 100m king and Paris 2024 Olympics semifinalist, has now moved level with Favour Ashe and Davidson Ezinwa as the four fastest Nigerians ever in the event behind Deji Aliu (6.48), Olusoji Fasuba (6.49) and Tosin Ogunode (6.50).
Isaac Okon, Ajayi’s Auburn University schoolmate was also in an incredible form, running 6.52 to set a new lifetime best as well as move fifth in the Nigerian all-time list, level with Chidi Imoh, Osmond Ezinwa, Seun Ogunkoya, Sunday Emmanuel (late) and Divine Oduduru.
Mississippi State University freshman, Adekalu Fakorede was not left out as he became the 17th Nigerian run inside 6.60 after speeding to a 6.58 finish.
In the women’s version, Blessing Ogundiran failed to advance to the final despite running 7.33 lifetime best.
The 25 years old made her Purdue University debut in the preliminary round with a 7.41 personal best. The Nigerian joined the school as mid-season additions in January.
