
Ajayi Kanyinsola
By Emuobonuvie Ojeni
Ajayi Kanyinsola clocked 6.51s in the 60m semifinal at the Tiger Paw Invitational in Clemson, South Carolina, equaling Favour Ashe’s Auburn University record and moving to fourth on Nigeria’s all-time list.
The Nigerian 100m champion had earlier run 6.58s in the preliminary round before improving his time in the semis.
He now sits alongside Ashe and Davidson Ezinwa, with only Deji Aliu (6.48), Olusoji Fasuba (6.49), and Tosin Ogunode (6.50) ahead of him.
His teammate, Isaac Okon, also impressed, setting a personal best of 6.52s to become the fifth-fastest Nigerian ever in the event – tied with Chidi Imoh, Osmond Ezinwa, Seun Ogunkoya, Sunday Emmanuel, and Divine Oduduru.
Fakorede Adekalu of Mississippi State University joined the sub-6.60s club after running 6.58s to become the 17th Nigerian to run under 6.60s.
In the female’s event, Blessing Ogundiran set a lifetime best of 7.33s but failed to advance to the final. The Purdue University sprinter, who only joined the team in January had earlier run 7.41s in the preliminary round