By Tayo Ogunseye
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has congratulated sprinter Kayinsola Ajayi following his impressive victory in the men’s 100 metres at the London Diamond League on Saturday, just four days before the start of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Ajayi ran a time of 9.84 seconds in a wind reading of -0.7m/s to equal the men’s 100m national record for the third time this season. He defeated Jamaica’s reigning World Championship silver medallist, Oblique Seville, who finished second in 9.87 seconds.
The performance further strengthens Ajayi’s status as one of Nigeria’s leading medal prospects ahead of the Commonwealth Games, which will take place from July 23 to August 2.
According to a press release issued by Kola Daniel the Special Assistant on Media to the Director General, the NSC described the victory as a major statement by the Nigerian sprinter ahead of Glasgow 2026, where he is expected to represent Team Nigeria in one of the Games’ most eagerly anticipated events.
Also competing for Nigeria at the London Diamond League was Ezekiel Nathaniel, who finished fourth in the men’s 400m hurdles in 48.30 seconds.
World record holder Karsten Warholm won the race in a meeting-record time of 46.61 seconds, followed by Emil Agyekum in 47.45 seconds and Abderrahman Samba in 48.10 seconds.
The National Sports Commission commended both Nigerian athletes for their performances on the global stage, saying their current form provides further encouragement as Team Nigeria’s preparations for Glasgow 2026 enter the final phase.
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will bring together more than 3,000 athletes from across the Commonwealth to compete in 10 sports.
Team Nigeria will be seeking to build on its proud legacy at the Commonwealth Games, with the NSC expressing confidence that the country’s athletes are well prepared to compete for medals and make the nation proud on the international stage.
