Ajayi, Ogazi, Adeshina crown NCAA champions in record breaking performances
Nigerian athletes delivered a spectacular showcase of speed, strength and excellence at the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville early Sunday, as Kanyinsola Ajayi, Samuel Ogazi and Temitope Adeshina each captured national titles in stunning, record-breaking fashion.
Representing Auburn Tigers, sprint star Kanyinsola Ajayi produced one of the defining moments of the championship when he stormed to victory in the men’s 60m final, clocking 6.45 seconds to equal both the African record and the NCAA collegiate record.
Ajayi powered through a stacked field to finish ahead of American sprinter Jelani Watkins, who claimed silver in 6.48s, confirming his status as one of the fastest collegiate sprinters in the world.
The Nigerian had earlier matched the collegiate record earlier in the season and repeated the feat again on the championship stage, becoming the first athlete this year to equal the mark twice.
Compatriot Israel Okon also made the final and finished fifth in 6.57s, adding to Nigeria’s strong presence in the event.
Another historic milestone came in the men’s 400m, where Samuel Ogazi produced a sensational run for the Alabama Crimson Tide, charging to the national title in 44.57 seconds.
The performance not only secured the championship but also set new Nigerian and African indoor records. Ogazi’s time now ranks third on the NCAA all-time list and fourth on the global indoor all-time rankings, with the Nigerian standing as the only athlete from outside North America among the top ten.
Florida’s Justin Braun pushed him all the way but settled for silver in 44.67s.
Ogazi later returned to the track for the 4x400m relay, teaming up with Mouatez Sikiou, Tarsis Orogot, and Alexander Osayemi to help Alabama finish second overall in 3:03.60.
In the women’s high jump, Temitope Adeshina continued her dominance by successfully defending her NCAA indoor title.
The Nigerian cleared 1.97m, equalling both her personal best and the Nigerian indoor record to secure back-to-back national championships and further cement her reputation as one of the leading collegiate high jumpers.
Adeshina edged out Ghana’s Rose Yeboah, who cleared 1.94m for silver, while American Alyssa Jones took bronze with 1.91m.
After clinching the title, the Nigerian attempted 2.00m, which would have matched the NCAA indoor record but fell short in three attempts.
Nigeria’s impressive outing was further highlighted by Ella Onojuvwevwo, who claimed bronze in the women’s 400m with a time of 50.76 seconds.
The quarter-miler had earlier produced one of the most remarkable performances of the championship during the qualifying round, running 50.28s to set a new African indoor record.
Together, the performances marked a memorable championship for Nigerian athletes, underlining their growing influence on the collegiate athletics stage in the United States.
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