Ajayi ready for London Diamond League showdown

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Fresh from a stunning victory on his Diamond League debut, Nigerian record holder Kayinsola Ajayi returns to action at the London Diamond League on Saturday, aiming for a second consecutive 100m win against another world-class field, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

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The 21-year-old heads to the British capital brimming with confidence after equalling the Nigerian 100m record of 9.84 seconds at the Prefontaine Classic in Oregon, where he upset world champion Oblique Seville of Jamaica and former world champion Christian Coleman of the United States.

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The breakthrough victory announced Ajayi as one of the fastest men in the world this season and strengthened his credentials as one of Nigeria’s leading medal hopes ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

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The London meeting presents another stern examination for the Nigerian sprinter as he looks to prove his Prefontaine triumph was no fluke.

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He will line up against a formidable field that includes Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo of Botswana, reigning World Indoor 60m champion Jordan Anthony of the United States, and British sprint star Zharnel Hughes.

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Clearly relishing his recent success, Ajayi sent a confident message to his critics after his victory in Oregon.

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“Hey doubters, the more you talk, the more I shine. You don’t know how deep this goes. All of this was just a matter of time. We are not done. Talk soon,” Ajayi wrote.

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Nigeria will also be represented in the men’s 400m hurdles by African record holder Ezekiel Nathaniel, who returns to Diamond League action against another elite field.

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Nathaniel faces one of the toughest assignments of the meeting, with world record holder Karsten Warholm of Norway and American Trevor Bassitt among his rivals as he continues preparations for the Commonwealth Games.

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Both athletes are expected to link up with Team Nigeria in Aberdeen, Scotland, ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

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