Ajayi storms to NCAA 100m title with wind-assisted 9.72s

By Maxwell Kumoye 

Nigerian sprint star Kanyinsola Ajayi produced one of the standout performances of the NCAA Championships, powering to victory in the men's 100 metres with a sensational wind-assisted 9.72 seconds at Hayward Field.

Representing Auburn University, the 21-year-old dominated the race from start to finish to become only the second Nigerian, after Divine Oduduru in 2018, to claim the NCAA men's 100m crown.

Ajayi crossed the line in a remarkable 9.72 seconds, a time faster than the African record of 9.77 seconds held by Ferdinand Omanyala. However, the race was aided by a tailwind of +2.2 metres per second, just above the legal limit of +2.0m/s, meaning the performance cannot be recognized as an official record.

Even so, the Nigerian's run ranks among the fastest ever recorded under all conditions and further underlines his emergence as one of the world's most exciting sprint talents.

Ajayi left the rest of the field trailing in his wake, opening a commanding gap over his rivals in the closing stages of the race. Jaiden Reid finished second in 9.82 seconds, while Jelani Watkins took third place.

The time places Ajayi alongside Jamaican great Asafa Powell as the joint sixth-fastest performer in history under all conditions. Only sprint legends Usain Bolt, Tyson Gay, Yohan Blake, Obadele Thompson and Andre De Grasse have run faster under any conditions.

The victory adds another milestone to a breakthrough season for Ajayi, who in May became Nigeria's fastest man after breaking the long-standing national record set by Olusoji Fasuba in 2006.

With an NCAA title now secured and his confidence soaring, Ajayi has reinforced his credentials as a leading contender ahead of the major international championships later this year.