Nigeria made a strong statement at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Day 1, thanks to the impressive performances of sprinters Kayinsola Ajayi and Israel Okon. Both athletes qualified for the men’s 100m semifinals, showcasing their speed and talent.
Kayinsola Ajayi ran a personal best of 9.88 seconds, finishing second in his heat behind South Africa’s Gift Leotlela (9.87 seconds).
This achievement makes Ajayi the third-fastest Nigerian sprinter of all time, behind Olusoji Fasuba (9.85 seconds) and Divine Oduduru (9.86 seconds).
Ajayi’s time also ties the national record for most sub-10s in a career.
Israel Okon Sunday won his heat in 10.04 seconds, beating Olympic champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs (10.20 seconds) and Britain’s Zharnel Hughes (10.06 seconds).
This impressive performance marked Okon’s debut at the senior World Championships, and he showed remarkable composure under pressure
Meanwhile, debutant Israel Okon Sunday showed remarkable composure in his first senior global outing, storming to victory in his heat with a time of 10.04s. Okon crossed the line ahead of Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes (10.06s) and reigning Olympic champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs (10.20s), who won gold at the same venue four years ago.
The men’s 100m semifinals are set to be a thriller, with Ajayi lining up against Noah Lyles, Akani Simbine, Ackeem Blake, and Jacobs in Semi 1, while Okon faces Oblique Seville, Letsile Tebogo, Leotlela, Courtney Lindsey, Abdul-Rasheed Saminu, Romell Glave, and Andre De Grasse in Semi 3.
In the field events, Nigeria’s Shot Put record-holder Chukwuebuka Enekwechi also impressed, advancing to the finals after throwing 20.83m in qualification.
In the final, Enekwechi battled bravely and narrowly missed out on a historic medal, placing 5th overall with a best effort of 21.52m in the sixth round.
Nigeria will return to action on Day 2 with more actions set to come in Tokyo.
