Ajayi and Ogazi shine at NCAA Outdoor Championships
Nigerian athletes Kayinsola Ajayi and Samuel Ogazi delivered standout performances at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon. Ajayi won the men’s 100m for Auburn University with a wind-assisted 9.72 seconds, becoming the first Nigerian to win the event since Divine Oduduru. Ogazi defended his 400m title with a record-breaking run for Alabama. Their achievements mark significant milestones for Nigerian athletics.
Match highlights
- Kayinsola Ajayi claimed victory in the men’s 100m with a wind-assisted 9.72 seconds, though the time was ineligible for record purposes due to a +2.2m/s tailwind.
- Ajayi became the first Nigerian to win the NCAA men’s 100m title since Divine Oduduru.
- Samuel Ogazi defended his men’s 400m title, running a national and collegiate record of 43.38 seconds for Alabama.
- Ogazi’s performance broke the previous NCAA record and placed him fourth on the all-time world list.
- Israel Okon, also from Auburn, finished second in the men’s 200m with a personal best of 19.99 seconds.
