Amusan, Ajayi leads Nigeria's charge at maiden World Athletics Ultimate Championship
Nigeria will parade a strong contingent led by former world record holder Tobi Amusan and sprint sensation Kayinsola Ajayi at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship, scheduled for September 11–13 at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary.
Amusan will spearhead Nigeria’s challenge in the women’s 100m hurdles, where she is expected to face a high quality field featuring several of the world’s leading hurdlers.
The Nigerian star, one of the country’s most decorated track athletes, will also compete in the mixed 4x100m relay alongside Alaba Akintola, Favour Ashe, Miracle Ezechukwu, Udodi Onwuzurike and Rosemary Nwankwo.
Nigeria secured one of just six places in the inaugural mixed relay final after reaching the final of the event at the 2026 World Athletics Relays, joining Canada, Germany, Jamaica, Spain and the United States.
Ajayi, meanwhile, will carry Nigeria’s hopes in the men’s 100m after an outstanding 2026 season.
The 21 year old has clocked a wind-assisted personal best of 9.72 seconds and a Nigerian record equalling 9.84 seconds, leaving him fourth in the current World Athletics rankings. His men’s 100m final is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, with Favour Ashe also expected to contribute to Nigeria’s mixed relay campaign.
Udodi Onwuzurike will contest the men’s 200m in addition to his mixed relay duties, while Ella Onojuwvevwo will represent the country in the women’s 400m and Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria confirmed the contingent in a statement signed by its Media Committee Chairman, Maxwell Kumoye, as the country prepares to compete alongside the world’s elite performers.
The three day championship, the first of its kind organised by World Athletics, will bring together Olympic and world champions, Diamond League winners and leading athletes of the 2026 season across 28 events involving 381 athletes from 65 federations.
A record $10 million prize purse is at stake, with individual winners earning $150,000 and relay champions sharing $80,000.
Nigeria will be particularly hopeful of making an impact in the mixed 4x100m, while Amusan, Ajayi, Onwuzurike, Nathaniel and the rest of the squad will seek to finish the season on a high at a championship billed as a contest to determine the sport’s “best of the best.”
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