Adedokun Waliyu 
Nigeria’s Kanyinsola Ajayi produced the biggest victory of his career on Saturday, defeating reigning world champion Oblique Seville to win the men’s 100 metres at the 2026 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon.
The 21-year-old sprinted to victory in an impressive 9.84 seconds in the non-Diamond League event at Hayward Field, beating a world-class field and confirming his place among the fastest sprinters in the world this season.
Jamaica’s Oblique Seville finished second in 9.89 seconds, while American sprinter Christian Coleman came third in 9.95 seconds. Fellow American Kenneth Bednarek placed fourth with a time of 9.96 seconds.
The triumph follows Ajayi’s recent success at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, where he won the men’s 100 metres title.
Seville made the stronger start, but Ajayi quickly accelerated, overtook the Jamaican before the halfway mark, and maintained his lead all the way to the finish line. His winning time of 9.84 seconds is the second-fastest recorded this season, behind only Seville’s season-best of 9.82 seconds.
Speaking after the race, Ajayi expressed satisfaction with his consistent performances throughout the season. He said his objective was simply to execute his race plan, and he was pleased that everything came together on one of athletics’ biggest stages.
Seville admitted he was not at his best but said he was encouraged to finish the race without injury as he continues preparing for the major championships later in the season.
Kenneth Bednarek was disappointed with his performance, explaining that he failed to accelerate effectively from the blocks and paid the price in such a highly competitive field. He noted that even the smallest mistakes can make a significant difference when competing against the world’s elite sprinters.
Ajayi’s latest victory further strengthens what has been a breakthrough season, establishing the Nigerian as one of the leading contenders in global sprinting.
