Sports

Beijing 2027: Ajayi, Nathaniel Secure World Athletics Championship Tickets, as Qualification Window Opens

Published

1 month ago

August 25, 2026

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria’s Kanyinsola Ajayi and Ezekiel Nathaniel have secured automatic qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing, with more Nigeria athletes expected to join them as the qualification window continues.

Ajayi punched his ticket in the men’s 100m after clocking 9.94 seconds (+1.4m/s) in the final of the Silesia Diamond League in Poland, comfortably achieving the automatic qualifying standard for the championships.

The 21-year-old sprinter continues to build on a breakthrough 2026 season that has seen him establish himself among the world’s leading 100m runners. Ajayi has equalled Nigeria’s national record of 9.84 seconds this year, won the NCAA title and recorded major victories over reigning world champion Oblique Seville.

His latest performance in Silesia adds another significant milestone to a season in which he has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to compete and win at the highest level.

Earlier in the day, Nathaniel also secured his place in Beijing after running 47.83 seconds in the men’s 400m hurdles, meeting the automatic qualifying standard.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games champion and Nigerian national record holder has continued to make his mark on the international stage, with his national record of 47.11 seconds set at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.

The qualification of Ajayi and Nathaniel marks the beginning of what is expected to be a growing Nigerian contingent for Beijing 2027, with athletes across several events still having opportunities to meet the required standards as the qualification period progresses.

Their early qualification provides Nigeria with two confirmed places on the road to Beijing while also setting the tone for other Nigerian athletes chasing their own automatic tickets in the months ahead.

With the qualification window still open, more Nigerians will have opportunities to join Ajayi and Nathaniel and build what could become a strong Team Nigeria contingent at the 2027 World Athletics Championships.

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Sports

AACT 2026: 31 Days to Africa’s Big Sporting Gathering in Abuja

Published

24 hours ago

October 2, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The countdown to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) has officially entered the final month, with just 31 days to go before Africa’s leading women’s team golf championship tees off at the IBB International Golf & Country Club in Abuja.

In a statement signed by the AACT 2026Director of Communication Kayode Adeniyi on Friday in Abuja.

Under the theme “Africa Is Coming to Abuja,” the countdown campaign will spotlight the championship, the participating nations, the players, the host venue and the growing development of women’s golf across the continent.

The 2026 AACT, scheduled for November 2–7, will bring together women’s golfing talent from across Africa for six days of continental competition in Nigeria’s capital.

As preparations continue at the IBB International Golf & Country Club, attention is increasingly turning to Abuja, where the championship will provide a platform for African golfers to compete while also showcasing Nigeria’s hospitality and the country’s growing profile as a destination for major sporting events.

The countdown will feature daily stories, interviews, player and country profiles, tournament facts, behind-the-scenes updates and features on the host venue as the championship draws closer.

The campaign will also highlight the role of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), the Local Organising Committee and other stakeholders in preparing for the continental championship.

With just 31 days remaining, anticipation is building across the African golfing community as Abuja prepares to welcome the continent’s leading women golfers.

Africa is coming to Abuja.

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