Nigeria’s sprint sensation, Kanyinsola Ajayi, produced the biggest win of his career on Saturday, defeating reigning world champion Oblique Seville of Jamaica to claim the men’s 100m title at the 2026 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon.

The 21-year-old clocked a blistering 9.84 seconds to equal his own Nigerian national record in his Diamond League debut at the iconic Hayward Field.

Ajayi finished ahead of Seville, who settled for second in 9.89 seconds, while American Christian Coleman placed third in 9.95 seconds. Another American, Kenneth Bednarek, finished fourth in 9.96 seconds.

Although Seville exploded out of the blocks, Ajayi’s exceptional acceleration from the 30-metre mark proved decisive as he surged into the lead and held on comfortably to secure victory with a legal tailwind of +0.1m/s.

Reacting to the landmark win, Ajayi said consistency had been the driving force behind his outstanding season.

The victory caps a remarkable season for the Nigerian, who has already established himself as one of the world’s fastest sprinters. Earlier this year, he won both the NCAA indoor 60m and outdoor 100m titles.

Ajayi also recorded a wind-assisted 9.72 seconds to win the NCAA 100m championship, a performance that ranks him joint sixth on the all-conditions list of the fastest men in history alongside Jamaican legend Asafa Powell. Only Usain Bolt, Tyson Gay, Yohan Blake, Obadele Thompson and Andre De Grasse have posted faster times under all conditions.

His triumph in Oregon further underlines his growing status as one of the brightest stars in world sprinting and a major medal contender for Nigeria in upcoming global championships.

 

 

“I feel good. I’ve been consistent. That was part of my goal—to stay on top of it all, stay consistent, come out here, do what I have to do and execute my race. So I feel good about that,” he said.