Nigeria’s Kanyinsola Ajayi and Israel Okon have advanced to the semi-finals of the men’s 100m at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, www.aclsports.com reports.
Ajayi, making his World Championships debut, ran a Personal Best of 9.88s in Heat 1. The mark makes him the third fastest Nigerian sprinter of all time and the 10th fastest African in history. He also extended his record for the most sub-10-second runs by a Nigerian in a single season to five, tying the all-time career record. Ajayi finished second in his heat behind South Africa’s Gift Leotlela (9.87s) and ahead of Jamaica’s Oblique Sevile (9.93s).
Okon, making his senior global debut, won Heat 6 in 10.04s. He finished ahead of 2020 Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs of Italy (10.20s) and British sprinter Zharnel Hughes (10.06s), demonstrating composure for a first-time competitor. After the race, he said: “I’m not scared of anyone. I have two legs, they all have two legs.”
Ajayi and Okon will contest the semifinals tomorrow, 14 September 2025. Ajayi has been drawn in Heat 1 with Marcell Jacobs (Italy), Noah Lyles (USA), Akani Simbine (South Africa), Eliezer Adjibi (Canada), Jeremiah Azu (Great Britain), Ackeem Blake (Jamaica), and Elvis Afrifa (Netherlands).
Okon will line up in Heat 3, competing against Romell Glave (Great Britain), Andre De Grasse (Canada), Gift Leotlela (South Africa), Letsile Tebogo (Botswana), Abdul-Rasheed Saminu (Ghana), Oblique Seville (Jamaica), and Courtney Lindsey (USA).
The semifinals await, with Nigeria’s hopes for the men’s 100m final riding on strong performances at Tokyo 2025.
