Ashe’s London Triumph Raises Nigeria’s Hopes Of Historic Commonwealth Relay Gold

With just two days to the start of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Team Nigeria’s quest for a historic men’s 4x100m relay gold has received a significant boost after sprint star Favour Ashe produced a commanding victory at the BFTAA Open in Lee Valley, England.

The 23-year-old Nigerian powered to victory in the men’s 100 metres, crossing the line in 10.06 seconds with a +2.6m/s tailwind. Great Britain’s Nicholas Walsh finished second in 10.11 seconds, while compatriot Ade Adewale claimed third in 10.19 seconds.

Ashe’s latest performance further underlines his excellent form heading into the Commonwealth Games, where he is expected to spearhead Nigeria’s challenge in the men’s 4x100m relay—an event in which the country has consistently established itself as one of Africa’s strongest forces.

The victory comes at an ideal time for Team Nigeria, whose athletics squad is aiming to improve on its silver-medal finish at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and finally capture the elusive relay gold.

Nigeria boasts a proud sprinting tradition that stretches back decades. Olapade Adeniken and Davidson Ezinwa both reached Olympic 100m finals, finishing sixth at Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996 respectively, while Olusoji Fasuba became the first Nigerian to win the Commonwealth Games men’s 100m title when he struck gold in Melbourne in 2006.

The country’s pedigree in the men’s 4x100m relay has been equally impressive. At the 1997 World Athletics Championships in Athens, the quartet of Osmond Ezinwa, Olapade Adeniken, Francis Obikwelu and Davidson Ezinwa claimed silver after setting a Nigerian record of 37.94 seconds in the semi-finals—a mark that still stands.

Two years later, Innocent Asonze, Francis Obikwelu, Daniel Effiong and Deji Aliu secured another World Championships medal, winning bronze in Seville with 37.91 seconds, then an African record.

Nigeria also earned Olympic relay honours when the Beijing 2008 squad of Onyeabor Ngwogu, Obinna Metu, Chinedu Oriala and Uchenna Emedolu, alongside Adetoyi Durotoye, was upgraded to silver following Jamaica’s disqualification.

At the Commonwealth Games, Nigeria has remained a consistent podium contender. Bronze medals followed in Glasgow 2014 through Seye Ogunlewe, Mark Jelks, Ogho-Oghene Egwero and Divine Oduduru, while Seye Ogunlewe, Divine Oduduru, Raymond Ekevwo and Emmanuel Arowolo repeated the feat at Gold Coast 2018.

The country’s finest Commonwealth relay performance came at Birmingham 2022, where Favour Ashe teamed up with Raymond Ekevwo, Alaba Akintola and Udodi Onwuzurike to win silver, finishing behind Kenya.

As the athletics programme gets underway on 23 July, Nigeria will arrive in Glasgow with one of its strongest relay squads in recent memory. The pool includes Kanyinsola Ajayi, Favour Ashe, Udodi Onwuzurike, Alaba Akintola, Israel Sunday Okon, Fakorede Adekalu and Chidera Ezeakor, giving the coaching crew an enviable selection headache.

With Ashe in outstanding form following his London triumph and several teammates also producing impressive performances in recent weeks, confidence is growing that Team Nigeria can finally turn years of relay consistency into a first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medal in the men’s 4x100m relay.