Nigerian Olympic Sprinter, Kayinsola Ajayi, delivered a record-breaking performance on Saturday at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational, clocking an impressive 9.96 seconds (1.9 m/s) to win the men’s 100m race. This stunning feat marked Ajayi's first-ever sub-10-second time, propelling him into Nigeria’s sprinting elite as the 10th fastest man in the nation’s history.

Ajayi’s remarkable victory saw him outpace a highly competitive field, including LSU’s Jelani Watkins (10.03s) and T’Mars McCallum (10.04s), signaling his emergence on the global sprinting stage. His 9.96s time is a personal best, placing him among Nigeria’s most accomplished sprinters, including the likes of Olusoji Fasuba (9.85s), Divine Oduduru (9.86s), and Enoch Adegoke (9.98s).

With this breakthrough performance, Ajayi has solidified himself as a serious contender for global events, with the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics in his sights. This victory is not only a personal milestone but also positions him as one of the top sprinters in the world today.

Ajayi’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. He won Nigeria’s national 100m title in 2024, and his performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he defeated Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs in the heats, stunned the athletics world. Earlier this year, he also equaled Nigeria's indoor 60m national record with a time of 6.48 seconds at the NCAA Indoor Championships, further cementing his reputation as a rising star in global athletics.

Saturday's race at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational, known for world-class performances, further emphasized the 22-year-old’s potential to make a significant impact in the sprinting world. With the season still in its early stages, his 9.96s time has set a bold tone for the months ahead.

Ajayi’s sub-10-second performance not only marks a personal achievement but also serves as a qualifying standard for major global events such as the World Championships and potentially the Diamond League circuit, all of which could pave the way for more success in the coming seasons.