Sports
Beijing 2027: Ajayi, Nathaniel Secure World Athletics Championship Tickets, as Qualification Window Opens
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.
Sports
Lagos Women Run: Excitement Builds Ahead of Saturday’s TBS Race
Joel Ajayi
Participants from different walks of life are eagerly looking forward to the Lagos Women Run scheduled for Saturday, November 14, at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos.
The participants have expressed excitement about the opportunities and experiences the annual event promises to offer.
Our correspondent reports that, in addition to runners from within Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, some athletes are expected to travel from outside the country to participate in the race.
The organisers are already making preparations for the large number of registered participants, while the possibility of accepting late entries will depend on the timing and other arrangements.
The Coordinator of the Lagos Women Run, Tayo Popoola, said participants should expect an improved experience compared with previous editions.
“We have to continue to get better, as that is the driving force for us as organisers. We will be bigger and better with every edition,” Popoola said.
The 2026 Lagos Women Run will hold on Saturday, November 14, with Tafawa Balewa Square serving as the starting point.
Participants are expected to arrive at the venue by 6:30 a.m. for the event.
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