Nigerian Sprinter Breaks 20-Year Record With 9.84s Dash

Kanyinsola Ajayi just proved that some records are worth the wait to break spectacularly.

The Auburn University junior blazed through 100 meters in 9.84 seconds at an NCAA track meet in the United States on Saturday, erasing Nigeria's national record that had stood untouched since 2006. At just 21 years old, Ajayi didn't just edge past the old mark of 9.85 seconds set by Olusoji Fasuba. He announced himself as a global force.

The run makes Ajayi the fastest person on Earth in 2026, beating even Botswana's world champion Collen Kebinatshipi. He's also now the second-fastest college athlete in U.S. history, sitting just 0.02 seconds behind the NCAA record set by Christian Coleman in 2017.

This wasn't a fluke. Ajayi showed his world-class potential at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where he became the first Nigerian in 18 years to reach the men's 100m final. He finished sixth in that race, running 9.88 seconds in the heats.

Why This Inspires

Breaking a 20-year-old record isn't just about running fast. It's about a generation of Nigerian athletes who grew up watching Fasuba's mark stand like a mountain, wondering if they could ever climb it.

Ajayi represents a new wave of African sprinters proving they belong among the world's elite. His success comes while still in college, suggesting his best years lie ahead. For young Nigerian athletes watching from home, he just showed them what's possible with dedication and belief.

The day brought double joy for Nigeria. Samuel Ogazi smashed the national 400m record with a time of 43.82 seconds, lowering his own previous mark and posting the world's best time in that event for 2026.

Two Nigerian records falling on the same day isn't just remarkable athletics—it's a statement about the depth of talent emerging from the country's track and field program. When records that stood for decades start falling, it signals something special is happening.

Ajayi still has rounds ahead in the NCAA championships, where every race could rewrite history again.