Kanyinsola Ajayi and Favour Ashe advance to men’s 100m semifinals at Paris 2024 Olympics

Nigerian sprinters Kanyinsola Ajayi and Favour Ashe have both secured their spots in the men’s 100m semifinals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, showcasing their exceptional speed and competitive spirit.

Ajayi Shocks with Heat Victory

National Champion Kanyinsola Ajayi delivered a standout performance in heat 5, where he emerged as the surprise winner by defeating reigning Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs. Ajayi clocked an impressive 10.02 seconds, surpassing Jacobs who finished second with a time of 10.05 seconds. Abdul Rasheed Saminu completed the top three in that heat with a time of 10.06 seconds. Ajayi’s victory was a remarkable achievement, positioning him as a strong contender for the semifinals.

Ashe Qualifies with Strong Finish

Favour Ashe also made a notable impact by qualifying through one of the fastest non-automatic spots. He finished fourth in heat 4 with a time of 10.16 seconds, behind Oblique Seville (9.99s), Hakim Sani Brown (10.02s), and Puripol Boonson (10.13s). Ashe’s performance ensured his place in the semifinals, where he will compete against some of the world’s top sprinters.

Semifinal Draw

In the semifinals, Ashe has been drawn in heat 1, where he will face a tough field including USA’s Noah Lyles, Jamaica’s Oblique Seville, Great Britain’s Louie Hinchliffe, Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme, and Ghana’s Benjamin Azamati. Meanwhile, Ajayi will compete in heat 2 alongside Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, South Africa’s Akani Simbine, and USA’s Kenneth Bednarek.

Looking Ahead

Both Ajayi and Ashe will need to bring their best performances to the semifinals to advance to the final round.