Ajayi targets sub-10s in 100m

Newly-crowned Nigeria men’s 100m champion Kanyinsola Ajayi looks to break the 10s barrier in the event at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Punch Sports Extra reports.

Having made the Olympics by ranking, Ajayi became one of Nigeria’s entrants for the men’s 100m alongside Favour Ashe and Godson Brume. The latter’s participation is, however, in doubt due to an injury.

Ajayi ran his season’s best and new personal best of 10.00s at the end of the Olympics automatic qualifying window to win the men’s 100m at the Luzern Athletics Meet in Switzerland in July, a mark he still desires to break.

“It feels great making my first Olympics because this is what most athletes are looking forward to on the biggest stage,” Ajayi said via Making of Champions.

“Since I’ve started athletics, I’ve been dreaming of becoming an Olympian. It’s just God’s grace to make the Olympics as the 24th fastest man in the world.

“I believe in myself, and the words of my coach keep coming to my head. He would tell me to keep up my discipline, and I believe I can achieve the sub-10s here in Paris. I’m just trusting God and myself.”

In his debut NCAA season, Ajayi’s accomplishments include winning the South-Eastern Conference (SEC) 60m title in his first college year and securing a third-place finish at the NCAA Championships.

The 19-year-old became the third Tiger SEC Champion in the last four years in the men’s 60m dash, claiming gold in a time of 6.60s on the final day of competition at the Randal Tyson Track Centre in February.

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