Team Nigeria’s Ajayi Wins 100m Bronze to Break 20-Year Jinx, Adeshina

Despite injuries and illnesses that ravaged the Nigerian delegation to the ongoing 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi put up a spirited fight to clinch a bronze medal in men’s 100m on an electrifying night of athletics events.
Ajayi etched his name into the history books, becoming the first Nigerian male sprinter to win a medal in the men’s 100m at the Commonwealth Games in 20 years.
The podium finish ended a two-decade wait since Olusoji Fasuba won silver at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme stormed to the gold medal in a new Games Record of 9.83 seconds. Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy won silver with a time of 9.85s.
Nigeria’s sprint campaign saw Favour Ashe narrowly miss out on the final after finishing fifth in his semifinal with a time of 10.07 seconds, while Nicholas Fakorede came agonizingly close to qualification, placing fourth in his semifinal in 10.06 seconds.
The women’s 100m campaign was unfortunately disrupted by injuries. Blessing Ogundiran was unable to start her semifinal after falling ill, while Rosemary Chukwuma suffered an apparent injury midway through her race and courageously limped across the finish line.
On her part, 17-year old Miracle Ezechukwu fought bravely in difficult rainy conditions, clocking 11.23 seconds to finish fourth in semifinal three.
In boxing, Patricia Mbata exited the women’s 75kg competition after a spirited display against England’s Mary Kate Smith. Mbata pushed her opponent all the way before losing a narrow 3-2 split decision in the quarterfinals, falling just short of a place in the semifinals.