🇳🇬 Kanyinsola Ajayi Hails Breakthrough Sub-10 Season: “A Year to Be Grateful For”

Nigerian sprint sensation Kanyinsola Ajayi has reflected on his remarkable 2025 season with gratitude after a record-breaking year that established him among the world’s elite sprinters and the third fastest Nigerian in history.

Ajayi stunned the athletics world at the World Championships in Tokyo, clocking an incredible 9.88 seconds in the 100m heats — a performance that placed him behind only Olusoji Fasuba (9.85s) and Divine Oduduru (9.86s) on Nigeria’s all-time list. He followed that up with 9.93s in the semi-final and 10.00s in the final, where he finished sixth in a race won by Jamaica’s Oblique Seville in 9.77s.

Taking to Instagram, the 21-year-old described 2025 as “a year filled with gratitude and milestones,” celebrating his first season with multiple sub-10 performances.

> “First year of sub 10, a season to be grateful for,” Ajayi wrote.
“Six fastest 100m of my career, six legal sub-10s, third fastest Nigerian ever, tied the 60m national record, World Championships finalist, and fastest man in AU history.”

Ajayi expressed heartfelt appreciation to his coach, family, and supporters for their role in his success, writing,

> “Grateful for every moment and every step forward. Grateful to God for guiding me throughout this journey. Big shoutout to my coach @afrikentiger, my family, and @zupco.express.athletics — you all made this possible.”

His six sub-10 runs this year mark the most ever recorded by a Nigerian sprinter in a single season, making him the first Nigerian to reach the men’s 100m World Championships final since 2007, when Fasuba finished fourth in Osaka.

Looking ahead, Ajayi promised to keep pushing his limits:

> “Chasing greatness, breaking limits, and leaving no doubts on the track. This season was just the beginning — watch me rise higher.”

Signing off his post with “Year 2 done, Year 3 loading,” Ajayi’s rise signals a new era for Nigerian sprinting — one defined by youth, faith, and a relentless drive for greatness.