Nigerian sprinter Kanyinsola Ajayi delivered a remarkable performance on Saturday, winning the men’s 100-meter race at the 2026 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon.
The 21-year-old clocked 9.84 seconds, matching his Nigerian national record in his first-ever Diamond League appearance.
Competing at Hayward Field, Ajayi outpaced a world-class field that included Jamaica’s Oblique Seville, who finished second in 9.89 seconds, while American sprinter Christian Coleman placed third with a time of 9.95 seconds. Kenneth Bednarek finished fourth in 9.96 seconds.
Although Seville made a strong start, Ajayi surged ahead after the opening 30 meters and maintained his lead through the finish to secure an impressive victory with a legal tailwind of +0.1 m/s.
Reacting to the win, Ajayi said he was pleased with his consistency and execution, describing those as key objectives for the season.
The victory adds to an outstanding year for the Nigerian athlete, who has already claimed NCAA titles in both the men’s 60-meter indoor and 100-meter outdoor events.
Earlier in the season, Ajayi recorded a wind-assisted 9.72 seconds to win the NCAA 100-meter title, further cementing his status as one of the world’s fastest young sprinters.
