Glasgow 2026: Nigerian Sprinters Struggle in 100m Semi-finals

At the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Nigeria's hopes for a sprint medal rested solely on Kanyinsola Ajayi after he emerged as the country’s only finalist from a team of six athletes who competed in the men’s and women’s 100m semi-finals. On Tuesday, July 28, 2026, Ajayi delivered a strong performance, winning the second men’s semi-final in a time of 9.94 seconds, despite the adverse rainy conditions at Scotstoun Stadium. His performance secured an automatic qualifying spot in the final, allowing him to finish ahead of Wales' Jeremiah Azu, who clocked 10.00 seconds, and Ghana's Abdul-Rasheed Saminu, who came in third at 10.06 seconds.

However, the evening was mixed for the Nigerian squad, as the other five sprinters were eliminated from the competition. In the men’s event, Favour Ashe ended his campaign after finishing fifth in the first semi-final with a time of 10.07 seconds. Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme won that race, breaking a national record with a time of 9.89 seconds, followed closely by Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy at 9.94 seconds. In a disappointing outcome for Nigeria in the third semi-final, Nicholas Fakorede finished fourth with 10.06 seconds, failing to qualify behind South Africa's Gift Leotlela and Australia’s Eddie Nketia, who recorded times of 10.02 seconds and 10.03 seconds, respectively.

The situation was no better in the women's event, as Nigeria's Rosemary Chukwuma and Blessing Ogundiran (who did not start) failed to reach the final, leaving Miracle Oluebube Ezechukwu as the last remaining Nigerian athlete in the semi-finals. Consequently, Ajayi is left to carry the nation’s sprint hopes into the final, which will take place later on Tuesday.

Ajayi, aged 20, has had an impressive season in 2026, marking himself as one of Africa's fastest sprinters with a wind-assisted time of 9.84 seconds along with several sub-10-second runs. His semi-final victory has further established him as a strong contender for a medal.

In the final, he is expected to face a competitive field, including Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme, Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy, South Africa’s Gift Leotlela, Ghana’s Benjamin Azamati, Wales’ Jeremiah Azu, and Australia’s Eddie Nketia. Nigeria’s athletics team arrived in Glasgow with high expectations, having already secured 10 medals, which includes six gold and four silver medals. With Ajayi still in contention for sprint glory and five other Nigerian athletes set to compete in the 400m semi-finals, Team Nigeria aims to enhance its medal tally as the Games progress.