Nigerian sprint star, Favour Ashe, produced a stunning performance at the Commonwealth Games Trials in Lagos, storming to a personal best of 9.93 seconds to win the men’s 100 metres title and rewrite the history books.
The 24-year-old athlete delivered the remarkable run at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex on Tuesday, becoming the fastest Nigerian man ever on home soil. His winning time, recorded with a legal wind reading of +0.5m/s, also ranks among the fastest performances by a Nigerian sprinter in history.
Ashe’s performance capped an unforgettable final that showcased the growing depth of Nigerian sprinting talent. Nicholas Fakorede finished second in a personal best of 9.98 seconds, while Chidera Ezeakor claimed third place in another lifetime best of 10.03 seconds.
The race marked the first time since 2003 that two Nigerian athletes broke the 10-second barrier in the same race. The last occasion came when Deji Aliu and Uchenna Emedolu achieved the feat in Abuja.
A Statement Performance Ahead of Glasgow
Ashe had already signalled his intentions earlier in the competition when he clocked 9.97 seconds in the semi-finals. Although that effort was aided by an illegal wind reading, it demonstrated the form he had brought into the trials.
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Speaking after his victory, Ashe reflected on the difficult journey that led to his breakthrough performance. Despite facing setbacks over the past few years, the Qatar-based sprinter said his commitment to training and discipline helped him remain focused on his goals.
His reward was a historic national title and qualification for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where he now believes he can challenge for a medal.
The achievement also reinforces Ashe’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s brightest sprint prospects. He previously won the national title in 2022 with a then-personal best of 9.99 seconds, and his latest performance confirms his continued rise among the continent’s elite sprinters.
Strong Performances Across the Championships
The three-day championship produced several standout moments beyond the men’s 100m final.
In the women’s 200 metres, Miracle Ezechukwu claimed the national title in a personal best of 22.77 seconds. Tejiri Ugoh finished second, while Chigozie Rosemary Nwankwo secured third place.
Veteran quarter-miler, Patience Okon-George, once again demonstrated her class by winning the women’s 400 metres title in 51.85 seconds, earning her sixth national crown. The men’s 400 metres title went to Tyler Johnson, who impressed on his Nigerian debut with a winning time of 45.75 seconds.
Meanwhile, Comfort James continued her dominance in the women’s 800 metres, securing her fifth national title. In the field events, Divine Oladipo successfully defended her women’s shot put title, while Chukwuebuka Enekwechi extended his dominance by winning a record fifth national men’s shot put crown.
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Team Nigeria Boosted Ahead of Commonwealth Games
With multiple personal bests, national records and breakthrough performances recorded throughout the trials, Team Nigeria heads toward the Commonwealth Games with renewed confidence.
However, the headline moment belonged to Ashe. His blistering 9.93-second run not only secured another national title but also announced his arrival as one of the fastest men in Nigerian athletics history.
If his current form continues, the sprint star could become one of Nigeria’s strongest medal hopes when the Commonwealth Games begin in Glasgow next month.
What do you think about Ashe’s record-breaking run? Can he bring home a medal from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow? Share your thoughts in the comments, and keep following RefinedNG for more inspiring stories celebrating African excellence in sports, business, culture, and beyond.