Kanyinsola Ajayi Claims Men’s 100m Bronze At Commonwealth Games 2026

By Saheed Afolabi

Nigeria sprinter, Kayinsola Ajayi has won bronze in the men’s 100m final at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, clocking 9.90 seconds.

The 21-year-old was Nigeria’s only representative in either the men’s or women’s 100m finals and delivered the country’s first medal in the event for 20 years. Olusoji Fasuba was the last Nigerian to reach the podium, taking silver in 2006.

Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme claimed gold with a Games record of 9.83 seconds, while Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy took silver in a personal best of 9.85 seconds. Three sub-9.90 performances lit up the final, and Ajayi held firm to secure the bronze.

The result continues a rapid rise for the Auburn University athlete. Ajayi is the Nigerian national record holder in the 100m with a time of 9.84 seconds, set in Lexington in May 2026, and the African record holder over 60m (6.45s). He became Nigerian national champion in the 100m in 2024 and added both the NCAA Indoor 60m title and the NCAA Outdoor 100m crown in 2026 — becoming only the second Nigerian to win the collegiate outdoor sprint title after Divine Oduduru.

A two-time African U20 champion and African Championships silver medallist, Ajayi has also tasted senior success on the Diamond League circuit this season, winning in both Eugene and London with matching 9.84-second runs. Currently ranked among the world’s top five over 100m, his Commonwealth Games bronze marks another milestone in a breakthrough career.