(From L) Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi, South Africa’s Akani Simbine and US’ athlete Noah Lyles cross the finish line as they compete in the men’s 100m semi-final during the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on September 14, 2025. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP)
By Emmanuel Okogba
Nigeria’s Kanyinsola Ajayi has qualified for the men’s 100 metres final event of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
Ajayi ran a time of 9.93s to finish second behind World and Olympic Champion Noah Lyles on Sunday, in a line-up that also included South Africa’s Akani Simbine and former Olympic Champion, Italy’s Lamont Marcell Jacobs.
Aside qualifying for the final, Ajayi ended Nigeria’s wait for a presence in the climax of the blue riband event, 18 years (2007) after Olusoji Fasuba’s feature where he finished fourth in 10.07s.
Israel Okon, Nigeria’s second representative in the semi-final, finished 7th in Heat 3 in a time of 10.14s.
Ajayi will run from Lane 3 in the final.
See full line-up of the final billed for Sunday below…
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