Nigeria officially has a new sprint king.
Twenty-one-year-old sprint sensation Kayinsola Ajayi delivered the performance of a lifetime at the NCAA East Regionals on Friday, clocking a blistering 9.84 seconds in the men’s 100m. The historic run didn’t just win his heat—it shattered a Nigerian national record that had stood untouched for nearly two decades.
Ajayi, who competes for Auburn University, executed a nearly flawless race with a +0.4m/s tailwind. His jaw-dropping time of 9.84s eclipsed the previous Nigerian benchmark of 9.85s set by Olusoji Fasuba in 2006—a record many track and field enthusiasts believed would stand for generations.
The phenomenal sprint instantly elevates Ajayi to the top of the global sprint rankings, officially making him the fastest man in the world so far in the 2026 season. Furthermore, the time goes down in the history books as the second-fastest 100m ever recorded in collegiate history.
“I’ve Always Been Dreaming About It”
The young athlete had already turned heads in earlier rounds with a comfortable 9.90s, but Friday’s final was a statement to the world.
Speaking after the monumental race, an emotional Ajayi attributed his success to rigorous preparation and faith.
“My coach told me what to do. I knew I was in good shape, so I just had to come here and execute,” Ajayi told reporters. When asked about breaking Fasuba’s legendary national record, he beamed. “I’ve always been dreaming about it. God made it happen, so I’m very grateful to God.”
Despite instantly becoming a global target as the world leader, the Nigerian star insists his focus remains internal as he heads into the NCAA Championships.
“It is me versus myself. I’m not thinking about anybody else,” Ajayi explained. “I just have to focus and do what I have to do.”
What’s Next for the Fastest Man of 2026?
With the NCAA Championships on the immediate horizon, Ajayi is looking to maintain his elite form and health. However, his ambitions stretch far beyond the collegiate circuit.
Armed with his newfound status as a global sprint powerhouse, Ajayi has his sights locked on international hardware, targeting the Commonwealth Games later this year and building momentum toward the highly anticipated 2027 World Athletics Championships.
For now, the Nigerian track and field community celebrates a new era: the era of Kayinsola Ajayi.
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