Ajayi Ends Nigeria’s 20-Year Wait For Commonwealth Men’s 100m Medal

Kayinsola Ajayi claimed bronze in the men’s 100m final on Tuesday, becoming Nigeria’s first male sprinter to medal in the event at the Commonwealth Games since Olusoji Fasuba’s silver in Melbourne 2006.

Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme won gold in a Games-record 9.83 seconds, while Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy took silver in 9.85s.

Nigeria’s Favour Ashe (10.07s) and Nicholas Fakorede (10.06s) missed the final, placing fifth and fourth in their semifinals, respectively.

In other events, Temitope Adeshina secured bronze in women’s high jump with 1.90m, behind Australia’s Eleanor Patterson and Nicola Olyslagers. The women’s 100m campaign was hampered by injuries: Blessing Ogundiran withdrew from her semifinal due to illness, and Rosemary Chukwuma limped to the finish after an apparent mid-race injury. Debutant Miracle Ezechukwu ran 11.23s for fourth in semifinal three.

Swimmer Abduljabar Adama advanced to the men’s 50m butterfly final. Boxer Patricia Mbata lost a narrow 3-2 split decision to England’s Mary Kate Smith in the women’s 75kg quarterfinals.