Ofili, Godbless, Ajayi Shine in Florida, Secure Spots at 2025 World Athletics Championships United States-based Nigerian sprinters Favour Ofili, Kanyinsola Ajayi, and Tima Godbless have officially qualified for the 2025 World Athletics Championships scheduled to take place in Tokyo, Japan, this August, following a string of outstanding performances over the weekend at the Tom Jones Memorial in Gainesville, Florida. Favour Ofili: A Brilliant Start to 2025 Season Favour Ofili began her 2025 campaign on a high note, clocking an impressive 22.34 seconds in the women’s 200m final, finishing second behind reigning Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred, who ran a blistering 21.88 seconds. With the World Championships qualification mark set at 22.57, Ofili’s performance comfortably secured her place in Tokyo. The LSU standout continues to prove her elite status in the half-lap event. She ended the previous season with a personal best of 22.05 seconds and holds the distinction of being the first Nigerian woman to ever break the 22-second barrier with her 21.96 run in 2022. After reaching the semifinals of the 200m at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Ofili is now aiming for a deeper run at the upcoming global meet. Kanyinsola Ajayi: The Newest Member of Nigeria’s Sub-10 Club Kanyinsola Ajayi stole the spotlight in the men’s 100m by clocking a sensational lifetime best of 9.96 seconds to win the event. With this feat, the Auburn University athlete became the 11th Nigerian man to dip below the 10-second mark in the 100m and the first to qualify for the blue riband event at the Tokyo World Championships. Ajayi’s breakthrough did not come as a surprise. Just last month in Liévin, France, he matched the long-standing Nigerian 60m indoor record of 6.48 seconds set by Deji Aliu in 1999. Unlike Aliu, who took four years to transition from 6.48 to a sub-10 mark, Ajayi managed it within a month—an astonishing rise that now sees him ranked fourth in the NCAA this outdoor season. Tima Godbless: Rising Star Breaks Through Tima Godbless, another LSU talent, delivered a stunning performance in the women’s 200m invite, clocking a personal-best 22.55 seconds into a slight headwind (-0.3 m/s). That time met the automatic qualifying standard of 22.57 seconds, securing her place at the World Championships alongside Ofili. The 20-year-old sprinter continued her strong form the following day in the 100m, stopping the clock at 11.14 seconds despite facing a strong headwind of -2.4 m/s. Her consistent progress this season has marked her as one of Nigeria’s most promising young sprinters. More Highlights from Gainesville Several other Nigerian athletes also impressed in Gainesville. Auburn’s Israel Okon, who recently set a new African U-20 60m record with a 6.51-second run, clocked a personal best of 10.07 seconds to finish sixth overall in the 100m. Adekalu Fakorede, who led the Nigerian 100m rankings prior to the event with a 10.11 mark, had a tough outing and finished 19th with a time of 10.39 seconds. In the men’s 200m, former World U-20 champion Udodi Onwuzurike ran 20.50 seconds to finish second behind reigning African champion Joseph Fahnbulleh of Liberia, who won with 22.07 seconds. Road to Tokyo Begins With Ofili, Ajayi, and Godbless now officially through to Tokyo 2025, Nigeria’s sprinting hopes continue to rise on the global stage. Their performances are not only a testament to their talent and preparation but also a clear signal that Nigerian athletics is entering a promising new era., Godbless, Ajayi Shine in Florida, Secure Spots at 2025 World Athletics Championships United States-based Nigerian sprinters Favour Ofili, Kanyinsola Ajayi, and Tima Godbless have officially qualified for the 2025 World Athletics Championships scheduled to take place in Tokyo, Japan, this August, following a string of outstanding performances over the weekend at the Tom Jones Memorial in Gainesville, Florida. Favour Ofili: A Brilliant Start to 2025 Season Favour Ofili began her 2025 campaign on a high note, clocking an impressive 22.34 seconds in the women’s 200m final, finishing second behind reigning Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred, who ran a blistering 21.88 seconds. With the World Championships qualification mark set at 22.57, Ofili’s performance comfortably secured her place in Tokyo. The LSU standout continues to prove her elite status in the half-lap event. She ended the previous season with a personal best of 22.05 seconds and holds the distinction of being the first Nigerian woman to ever break the 22-second barrier with her 21.96 run in 2022. After reaching the semifinals of the 200m at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Ofili is now aiming for a deeper run at the upcoming global meet. Kanyinsola Ajayi: The Newest Member of Nigeria’s Sub-10 Club Kanyinsola Ajayi stole the spotlight in the men’s 100m by clocking a sensational lifetime best of 9.96 seconds to win the event. With this feat, the Auburn University athlete became the 11th Nigerian man to dip below the 10-second mark in the 100m and the first to qualify for the blue riband event at the Tokyo World Championships. Ajayi’s breakthrough did not come as a surprise. Just last month in Liévin, France, he matched the long-standing Nigerian 60m indoor record of 6.48 seconds set by Deji Aliu in 1999. Unlike Aliu, who took four years to transition from 6.48 to a sub-10 mark, Ajayi managed it within a month—an astonishing rise that now sees him ranked fourth in the NCAA this outdoor season. Tima Godbless: Rising Star Breaks Through Tima Godbless, another LSU talent, delivered a stunning performance in the women’s 200m invite, clocking a personal-best 22.55 seconds into a slight headwind (-0.3 m/s). That time met the automatic qualifying standard of 22.57 seconds, securing her place at the World Championships alongside Ofili. The 20-year-old sprinter continued her strong form the following day in the 100m, stopping the clock at 11.14 seconds despite facing a strong headwind of -2.4 m/s. Her consistent progress this season has marked her as one of Nigeria’s most promising young sprinters. More Highlights from Gainesville Several other Nigerian athletes also impressed in Gainesville. Auburn’s Israel Okon, who recently set a new African U-20 60m record with a 6.51-second run, clocked a personal best of 10.07 seconds to finish sixth overall in the 100m. Adekalu Fakorede, who led the Nigerian 100m rankings prior to the event with a 10.11 mark, had a tough outing and finished 19th with a time of 10.39 seconds. In the men’s 200m, former World U-20 champion Udodi Onwuzurike ran 20.50 seconds to finish second behind reigning African champion Joseph Fahnbulleh of Liberia, who won with 22.07 seconds. Road to Tokyo Begins With Ofili, Ajayi, and Godbless now officially through to Tokyo 2025, Nigeria’s sprinting hopes continue to rise on the global stage. Their performances are not only a testament to their talent and preparation but also a clear signal that Nigerian athletics is entering a promising new era.