AFN Applauds Ajayi and Ogazi Following Historic NCAA Championship Triumphs

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria AFN, has lauded the exceptional performances of Nigerian athletes at the 2026 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

The federation described the historic achievements of the young athletes as a powerful and encouraging signal of what lies ahead for the country’s athletics program.

Nigeria’s contingent commanded the spotlight at Hayward Field, led by Kanyinsola Ajayi and Samuel Ogazi, who captured the men’s 100 meters and 400 meters titles, respectively, with performances that sent shockwaves through the global athletics community.

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Representing Auburn University, 21-year-old Kanyinsola Ajayi stormed to the 100m title in a blistering, wind-assisted 9.72 seconds.

The remarkable time would have shattered the African record of 9.77 seconds held by Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala, had a tailwind of +2.2m/s not rendered it ineligible for official record purposes.

Ajayi pulled clear of the field in the closing stages, leaving LSU’s Jaiden Reid to finish second in 9.82 seconds and Arkansas’ Jelani Watkins in third.

The victory cemented Ajayi’s place in history, making him the first Nigerian to win the NCAA men’s 100m title since Divine Oduduru achieved the feat in 2019, and only the third Nigerian overall, joining the ranks of Olapade Adenekan and Oduduru.

In the 400m event, Samuel Ogazi delivered a breathtaking performance to defend his NCAA title in record-breaking fashion.

The 20-year-old Alabama University athlete clocked 43.38 seconds, completely obliterating the NCAA record of 43.61 seconds set by American Michael Norman in 2018, while simultaneously establishing a new Nigerian national record.

This monumental run lifted Ogazi to fourth on the all-time world list, placing him behind only athletics legends Wayde van Niekerk, Michael Johnson, and Butch Reynolds.

It was a staggering improvement from his previous personal best of 44.02 seconds set just weeks prior; a time that had finally erased Innocent Egbunike’s 38-year-old national mark.

Adding to the nation’s medal haul, Israel Okon bounced back from a difficult 100m final—where he pulled up and finished ninth, to claim silver in the 200m with a new personal best of 19.99 seconds.

AFN President Chief, Tonobok Okowa, was effusive in his praise for the athletes, noting that the results from Eugene demonstrated the courage, discipline, and world-class ability of Nigeria’s emerging sporting generation.

“The results from Eugene are extremely encouraging for Nigerian athletics. Our athletes have demonstrated courage, discipline, consistency and world-class ability throughout the championships. To see young Nigerians excelling at such a prestigious competition is gratifying. Their performances are proof that the future of our sport is in very capable hands,” Okowa stated.

Addressing Ajayi’s blistering 100m dash, Okowa acknowledged the wind technicality but emphasized the sheer magnitude of the run.

“A time of 9.72 seconds is extraordinary under any circumstance. Although the wind reading prevents it from being recognised as an official African record, it clearly shows the level Kanyinsola has attained. We believe it is only a matter of time before he achieves even greater milestones.”

The AFN president also singled out Ogazi and Okon, declaring that their performances on the global stage further underline the immense quality of Nigerian talent currently coming through the ranks to inspire the next generation back home.