Nigerian Athletes Shine at 2026 NCAA Championships

At the 2026 NCAA Division Outdoor Track and Field Championships held in Eugene, Oregon, Nigerian athletes Kanyinsola Ajayi and Samuel Ogazi delivered outstanding performances. Ajayi, representing Auburn University, won the men's 100 meters title with a time of 9.72 seconds, breaking the previous African record of 9.77 seconds held by Kenya's Ferdinand Omanyala.

Although the wind assistance of 2.2 m/s prevents the record from being officially recognized, Ajayi's achievement marks him as the first Nigerian to win the NCAA men's 100m title since Olapade Adenekan in 2019. Meanwhile, Ogazi defended his NCAA title in the 400 meters, clocking 43.38 seconds, which shattered the NCAA record of 43.61 seconds set by American Michael Norman in 2018.

This performance also established a new Nigerian national record, surpassing Innoc Egbunik's previous mark of 44.17 seconds. Chief Tonobok Okowa, President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, praised the athletes for their courage and discipline, highlighting their potential to inspire future generations.