Kanyinsola Ajayi, Nigerian sprint sensation has described his debut sub-10 season as one to be grateful for, following a record-breaking year that saw him emerge as the third fastest Nigerian in history and one of the world’s top sprinters in 2025.
Ajayi, who stormed into the global spotlight at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, clocked an astonishing 9.88 seconds in the 100m heats to become Nigeria’s third fastest man of all time, behind Olusoji Fasuba (9.85s) and Divine Oduduru (9.86s).
He went on to run 9.93s in the semi-final before finishing sixth in the final with a time of 10.00s in a race won by Jamaica’s Oblique Seville in 9.77s.
Reflecting on his season in a post on Instagram, Ajayi described 2025 as a year filled with gratitude and personal milestones.
“First year of sub 10, a season to be grateful for,” he wrote, before listing his achievements which include “6 fastest 100m of my career, 6 legal sub 10s, 6 fastest in the world, 3rd fastest Nigerian in history, tied the 60m NR, World Championships finalist, school record in the 60m & 100m, fastest man in AU history.”
He expressed deep appreciation for those who have supported him throughout his journey, noting the role of faith, mentorship and family.
“Grateful for every moment and every step forward. Grateful to God for guiding me throughout this journey,” he said.
“Big shoutout to my coach @afrikentiger, my family, and @zupco.express.athletics. Appreciate y’all for trusting me and always pushing me to be that man. Without y’all, this journey might not have been as smooth and successful as it seems.”
Ajayi’s achievements this season have placed him among the elite sprinters globally.
His 9.88s run was his sixth legal sub-10 performance in 2025, the most ever recorded by a Nigerian athlete in a single season.
The 21-year-old’s breakthrough also marked a historic moment for Nigeria, as he became the first Nigerian to make the men’s 100m final at the World Championships since Olusoji Fasuba finished fourth in Osaka in 2007.
In his post, Ajayi hinted that this was only the beginning, promising to keep pushing boundaries in the coming years.
“Chasing greatness, breaking limits, and leaving no doubts on the track. This season was just the beginning, watch me rise higher,” he wrote.
Ajayi concluded his reflection with a forward-looking message, celebrating the progress made so far while teasing what is to come in his young career, writing, “Year 2 done, Year 3 loading.”
With a World Championships final appearance, six sub-10 runs, and a spot among the world’s fastest men, Ajayi’s meteoric rise signals a new era for Nigerian sprinting, and one that, by his own words, is only getting started.
