Nigeria’s Kanyinsola Ajayi has written his name into the country’s athletics history after becoming the first Nigerian male sprinter in 20 years to win a medal in the 100m at the Commonwealth Games.
Ajayi claimed the bronze medal in the men’s 100m final at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, clocking 9.90 seconds with a legal wind reading of +1.3m/s.
The 20-year-old wait dates back to the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, where Nigerian sprint legend Olusoji Fasuba won the silver medal in the men’s 100m. Since then, no Nigerian male sprinter had reached the podium in the event until Ajayi’s historic performance in Glasgow.
Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme won the gold medal in a new Commonwealth Games record time of 9.83 seconds, while Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy finished second with 9.85 seconds.
Ajayi’s bronze medal is another important achievement for Team Nigeria, adding to the country’s growing medal haul at the Games and highlighting the progress of Nigerian athletics on the international stage.
His performance also confirms his status as one of Nigeria’s brightest sprint talents, with many expecting him to play a key role for the country at future global competitions, including the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
By ending a two-decade wait for a Commonwealth Games men’s 100m medal, Ajayi has revived Nigeria’s proud sprinting tradition and given athletics fans another moment to celebrate.
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