History was made at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Virginia as three Nigerian sprinters—Kanyinsola Ajayi, Israel Okon, and Fakorede Nicholas—secured spots in the men’s 60m final, marking a groundbreaking moment for Nigerian sprinting on the collegiate stage.
Auburn University’s Kanyinsola Ajayi stole the spotlight, blazing to a 6.48-second finish, equaling the Nigerian national record.
His teammate, Israel Okon, followed closely with 6.54 seconds, while Fakorede Nicholas of Mississippi set a new personal best of 6.56 seconds to round off an incredible showing by Nigerian athletes.
This performance underscores Nigeria’s growing presence in collegiate sprinting, reinforcing the country’s rich history in short-distance events. Ajayi’s record-equalling time places him among the fastest Nigerians ever in the event, while Okon and Nicholas further highlight the depth of talent emerging from the nation.
The NCAA Indoor Championships have long been a proving ground for future global sprint stars, and with their electrifying performances, Ajayi, Okon, and Nicholas have put the world on notice.
As they continue their development, attention will now turn to their potential impact on the international stage, particularly with the Paris 2024 Olympics and future World Championships on the horizon.
