Nigerian sprinters Kayinsola Ajayi and Favour Ashe have made significant strides in the ongoing Olympics, advancing to the semi-finals of the men’s 100m race.
Ajayi, a 19-year-old athlete, secured a first-place finish in heat 5 with a remarkable time of 10.02 seconds.
Read Also: Dr. Kolade Weighs In On The Pros And Cons Of Synthetic Pitches
His performance saw him outpace defending champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs of Italy, who finished in 10.05 seconds, as well as Abdul-Rasheed Saminu of Ghana and Benjamin Richardson of South Africa, both of whom clocked 10.06 seconds.
In another competitive heat, Favour Ashe earned his spot in the semi-finals by finishing fourth with a time of 10.16 seconds.
He will be competing in the first semi-final round, facing off against athletes including Rikkoi Brathwaite of the British Virgin Islands and Benjamin Azamati of Ghana.
Ajayi is set to compete in semi-final 2, alongside strong contenders such as Reynaldo Espinosa of Cuba, Emmanuel Matadi of Liberia, and Ackeem Blake of Jamaica.
Nigeria eagerly anticipates the semi-finals, hoping these young sprinters can secure a place in the finals and potentially bring home a medal.
Their performances are seen as a beacon of hope for Nigeria’s athletic prospects at the Olympics, where the country seeks to improve its overall standing.
Fans and supporters are rallying behind Ajayi and Ashe, confident that their talent and determination will lead to Olympic success and contribute to Nigeria’s sporting legacy.