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Fasuba tips sprinter Ajayi for greatness ahead of Commonwealth Games

From ThisDay · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Former African record holder Olusoji Fasuba has tipped Nigerian sprinter Kanyinsola Ajayi for greatness.
  • Fasuba believes Ajayi, who recently broke his 20-year-old national record, can become one of Africa's all-time greatest sprinters.
  • Ajayi and Samuel Ogazi are seen as inspiring a new generation of Nigerian male sprinters.

As the first batch of Team Nigeria athletes arrive in Glasgow for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, former African 100m record holder Olusoji Fasuba has expressed high hopes for sprinter Kanyinsola Ajayi. Fasuba, who held the Nigerian 100m record for 20 years before it was broken this year, believes Ajayi is on track to become one of Africa's most celebrated sprinters.

Kanyinsola Ajayi’s progress has been exceptional. What stands him out is the consistency of his improvement.

— Olusoji FasubaPraising Kanyinsola Ajayi's development as a sprinter.

"Kanyinsola Ajayi’s progress has been exceptional. What stands him out is the consistency of his improvement," Fasuba told THISDAY. He added that Ajayi's ability to compete with the world's best suggests a bright future. Fasuba, now an officer in the British Royal Navy, congratulated Ajayi on breaking his national record, acknowledging that records are meant to be surpassed. "I am genuinely delighted that another Nigerian has raised the standard," he noted.

He has shown that he can compete with the very best in the world, and if he continues on this path, I believe he can become one of Africa’s all time great sprinters.

— Olusoji FasubaExpressing confidence in Ajayi's potential.

Fasuba urged Ajayi to continue pushing his limits, stating, "My message to Kanyinsola is simple. Do not stop here. Keep pushing. Breaking the Nigerian record is only one milestone. Now go after the African record and continue lowering your personal best. That is how legacies are built."

Those are achievements I will always cherish, but records are meant to be broken. I am genuinely delighted that another Nigerian has raised the standard.

— Olusoji FasubaReflecting on his former national record and congratulating the new record holder.

Fasuba also highlighted the significance of Ajayi and fellow sprinter Samuel Ogazi in revitalizing Nigerian men's sprinting. He noted that after years where female athletes often carried the nation's sprinting success, these two athletes have the potential to inspire a new generation of male sprinters and quarter-milers. Ajayi has recently shown strong form, defeating Jamaica's Oblique Seville in both the London Diamond League and the Prefontaine Classic.

My message to Kanyinsola is simple. Do not stop here. Keep pushing. Breaking the Nigerian record is only one milestone. Now go after the African record and continue lowering your personal best. That is how legacies are built.

— Olusoji FasubaAdvising Kanyinsola Ajayi on his future career path.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ThisDay in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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