Nigeria has a new fastest man after Kanyinsola Ajayi clocked a stunning 9.84 seconds in the men’s 100m at the NCAA East Regionals on Friday, breaking the national record and setting a new benchmark in Nigerian sprinting.

The 21-year-old Auburn University athlete produced the performance of his life to win his heat, qualify for the NCAA Championships, and erase a record that had stood for nearly two decades.

His time of 9.84s (0.4m/s) eclipsed the previous Nigerian national record of 9.85s set by Olusoji Fasuba in 2006, a mark many believed would stand for years to come.

The remarkable run also elevated Ajayi to the top of the global rankings for 2026, making him the world leader in the event so far this season.

Beyond the national record, Ajayi’s performance ranks as the second-fastest 100m ever recorded in collegiate history, further underlining the scale of the achievement.