Nigeria’s sprint star Kayinsola Ajayi had another great performance on Saturday. He matched the national men’s 100 metres record for the third time this season. He won the Novuna London Athletics Meet, which is the 11th stop of the Wanda Diamond League.
Ajayi finished the race in 9.84 seconds. He beat reigning world champion Oblique Seville from Jamaica, who came in second with a time of 9.87 seconds. Nigerian sprinter Romell Glave took third place with a personal best of 9.97 seconds.
This victory shows Ajayi is one of the fastest sprinters in the world. He has now defeated Seville two times in a row in Diamond League meetings. He also beat the Jamaican at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene earlier this month.
Consistent Record
The 21-year-old Ajayi showed great calmness in a top-level race. He equalled his national record of 9.84 seconds for the third time this year.
Ajayi has recorded this time in Kentucky on May 29, in Eugene on July 4, and now in London on July 18. This level of consistency puts him in the running for global medals.
What stands out is his success against Seville, who has the fastest time this year at 9.82 seconds. Still, Ajayi has remained unbeaten against the Jamaican in 2026, improving his record to 3-1.
Breakthrough Year
Winning in London adds to what has already been a breakthrough year for the sprinter from Auburn University.
Earlier in the season, Ajayi broke Olusoji Fasuba’s long-standing national record and won the NCAA men’s 100m title. Even though that NCAA win had some wind help, he has continued to show his talent under normal conditions in the Diamond League.
His win in Eugene marked him as a serious contender in world sprinting. Saturday's win confirmed that he is not a one-time wonder.
With nearly two months left in the athletics season, Ajayi seems ready to aim for more titles and possibly break the national record again.
Commonwealth Games Ahead
Ajayi’s latest Diamond League win comes at a perfect time for Team Nigeria, just before the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
He has now matched the national record three times and beaten the reigning world champion twice in major competitions. Ajayi has set himself up as one of Nigeria’s top medal hopes.
His performances this season have changed Nigerian sprinting history and highlighted that he is a real global contender, ready to take on the best in the world.
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