Nigeria’s rising sprint star Kayinsola Ajayi made history at the Wanda Diamond League Final in Brussels, finishing third in the men’s 100 metres with a time of 9.97 seconds.
The 21-year-old became the first Nigerian man to finish on the podium in the 100m at a Diamond League Final, capping a remarkable breakthrough season.
Oblique Seville wins Diamond League title
Jamaica’s Oblique Seville won the race in 9.90 seconds, securing the Diamond League title.
Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme finished second in 9.93 seconds, while Ajayi completed the podium with his sub-10-second performance.
Ajayi earns $10,000 prize
For his third-place finish, Ajayi collected $10,000 in prize money.
The result added another major achievement to his first full professional season and confirmed his place among the leading young sprinters in world athletics.
Ajayi enjoyed impressive 2026 season
The Nigerian had already produced several standout performances earlier in the Diamond League campaign.
Ajayi defeated Seville twice during the season, clocking 9.84 seconds at both the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene and the London meeting.
More medals and titles for Nigerian star
Ajayi also won bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, claimed NCAA titles and repeatedly ran under 10 seconds during the year.
Those performances have helped establish him as one of Nigeria’s most exciting athletics prospects.
Historic result for Nigerian sprinting
Ajayi’s podium finish in Brussels represents an important milestone for Nigerian men’s sprinting.
Becoming the first Nigerian male athlete to reach the 100m podium at a Diamond League Final underlines the progress he has made in a short period.
Ajayi looks ahead to 2027
After an impressive 2026 campaign, Kayinsola Ajayi will now turn his attention to the next season.
With consistent sub-10-second performances and a historic Diamond League podium already achieved, the Nigerian sprinter is emerging as one of the athletes to watch on the global stage in 2027.