Nnamdi breaks national javelin record, Ajayi clocks wind-aided 9.90s, as Adeshina and Nwachukwu deliver standout performances

Nigerian athletes have made a strong and impressive start to the 2026 outdoor season, recording victories, personal bests, and a national record across events in the United States.

At the Tom Jones Memorial in Florida, javelin thrower Chinecherem Nnamdi delivered a standout performance, winning the men’s event with a huge personal best of 84.68m. The mark shattered his previous Nigerian national record by nearly two metres and moved him up to seventh on the African all-time list, despite a shortened 2025 campaign.

In the sprints, NCAA indoor champion Kanyinsola Ajayi continued his fine form, clocking a wind-assisted 9.90 seconds (2.9 m/s) to win the men’s 100m invitational race. He led a Nigerian 1-2 finish alongside Israel Okon, who placed second in 9.95s, while Minnesota’s Jaiden Reid came third in 10.01s.

Elsewhere, Temitope Adeshina maintained her dominance in the women’s high jump, clearing 1.95m to secure victory at the Mt. SAC Relays held at Hilmer Lodge Stadium in Walnut, California. The jump ranks as the third-best in Texas Tech history and is currently the top mark in the NCAA this season.

The three-time Nigerian national champion, who holds a personal best and national record of 1.97m, remains unbeaten this year as she continues her push for a maiden outdoor title.

In the women’s 400m, Chioma Nwachukwu opened her outdoor season with a new personal best of 51.24 seconds. The time places her second on Nigeria’s 2026 performance list and makes her one of four Nigerian women to have dipped below 52 seconds so far this year.