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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Sports

Ashe storms to 100m title at C’wealth Games trials

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Favour Ashe set a personal best of 9.93 seconds to win the men's 100m title at the Commonwealth Games National Trials in Lagos.
  • Ashe overcame challenges, including visa issues, to achieve his victory and expressed gratitude for the support that brought him back to compete in Nigeria.
  • Other athletes also achieved personal bests in various events, as selectors finalize Nigeria's team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Favour Ashe delivered a standout performance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games National Trials in Lagos, clocking a personal best of 9.93 seconds to claim the men's 100m title. The Delta State athlete's victory came after signaling his intent with a wind-assisted 9.97s in the semi-finals, further solidifying his dominance with a legal time in the final.

These past years have been tough, I didn’t get my visa back to the US. The fans didn’t know of that. I was in Nigeria training.

— Favour AsheDiscussing the personal challenges he faced leading up to his victory.

Ashe's triumph was particularly meaningful given the personal challenges he faced over the past year, including significant visa issues that disrupted his training plans abroad. "These past years have been tough, I didn’t get my visa back to the US," Ashe revealed. He explained that the pressure led him to compete in Qatar, not for financial gain, but to regain his competitive feel. A call from the AFN President, Tonobok Okowa, prompted his return to Nigeria, a decision he credits with fostering greater discipline and leading to his current success.

The men's 100m final saw a high-quality field, with Adekalu Fakorede finishing second in a personal best of 9.98s, and Chidera Ezeakor securing third place with his own personal best of 10.03s. Elsewhere, veteran Patience Okon-George won the women's 400m title in 51.85s, ahead of US-based Taiwo Kudoro. Tyler Johnson claimed the men's 400m national title with a time of 45.75s.

Because of the pressure, I went to Qatar, not because of the money. I went to Qatar because I just wanted to feel myself again.

— Favour AsheExplaining his decision to compete in Qatar to regain form.

The three-day trials concluded with champions also decided in the 200m and hurdles events. These results will be crucial as selectors finalize Nigeria's athletics contingent for the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

This year, the AFN President (Tonobok Okowa) called me to come back to Nigeria. So, I had to take that decision because I knew if I come back to Nigeria, I’ll be more disciplined, so I’m happy to get the win.

— Favour AsheCrediting the AFN President's encouragement and his return to Nigeria for his success.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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