Nigerians at the weekend got a glimpse of what to expect from their stars at the 2026 Commonwealth Games when some of the country’s top athletes, sprinter Kanyinsola Ajayi and hurdler Tobi Amusan, produced eye-catching performances at the 2026 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, United States.

Sprint sensation Ajayi made headlines by powering to victory in the men’s 100m, clocking a brilliant 9.84 seconds to defeat world champion, Jamaica’s Oblique Seville (9.89s) and American star, Kenneth Bednarek (9.95s).

Ajayi equalled his Nigerian record of 9.84 seconds in the process. The impressive run further strengthens Ajayi’s credentials as one of the world’s fastest men this season.

His compatriot, Tobi Amusan, also impressed in the women’s 100m hurdles, finishing second in 12.34 seconds behind America’s Masai Russell, who won in a world-leading 12.24s.

Amusan comfortably held off Bahamian Devynne Charlton, who placed third in 12.41s.

It was a different story for another Nigerian, Favour Ofili, who placed eighth in a star-studded women’s 100m final, crossing the line in 11.07 seconds. The race was won by American Melissa Jefferson-Wooden in 10.78s, just ahead of compatriot Sha’Carri Richardson (10.79s).

In the men’s 400m, Nigeria’s quartermiler Ezekiel Nathaniel also finished eighth in 45.32 seconds in a high-quality race won by Botswana’s Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, whose outstanding 44.00-second performance secured victory ahead of America’s Olympic champion Rai Benjamin (44.11s).

Reigning sprint star, Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, finished second place in the men’s 200m with a season’s best 19.93 seconds, behind American Tate Taylor, who stormed to victory in 19.75s.

Kenya celebrated one of Africa’s biggest victories of the Meeting as Lilian Odira produced a superb run to win the women’s 800m in 1:56.19, holding off Great Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson (1:56.73) and America’s Addison Wiley (1:57.70).

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s new men’s 100m champion, Favour Ashe, as well as women’s quartermiler, Patience George-Okon and para-powerlifter, Folashade Oluwafemiayo were among 54 early arrivals at the country’s pre-Commonwealth Games training camp in Aberdeen, Scotland.

The athletes, coaches and officials were received on arrival by the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, who expressed satisfaction with the quality of facilities on ground at the Aberdeen camp.

Olopade disclosed that more members of the contingent were expected to troop in yesterday, adding that the focus of everyone connected to the team will be totally on how to eliminate every avoidable distraction, while providing world-class support to ensure that the athletes and coaches concentrate on winning medals for Nigeria.