Sprint sensation Favour Ashe delivered a career-defining performance on Tuesday at the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Commonwealth Games Trials in Lagos, storming to victory in the men’s 100 metres final with a blistering personal best of 9.93 seconds.
The Delta State-born sprinter exploded from the blocks and maintained his momentum through the finish line to become the only athlete in the race to break the 10-second barrier, earning the title of Nigeria’s fastest man and strengthening his credentials ahead of major international competitions.
Ashe led a highly competitive field in what proved to be one of the standout events of the trials.
Fakorede Nicholas Adekalu of Mississippi State University finished second in a personal best 9.98 seconds, while Chidera Ezeakor of Team Customs claimed bronze with another lifetime best of 10.03 seconds.
Teenage prospect Tejiri Godwin continued his impressive rise by placing fourth in a personal best 10.20 seconds, while former national champion Enoch Adegoke finished fifth in 10.27 seconds.
Gafaru Audu of Making of Champions recorded a season’s best 10.42 seconds to place sixth, ahead of Osama Chibueze of Dynamic Athletics, who finished seventh in 10.46 seconds.
The race highlighted the growing strength of Nigerian sprinting, with multiple athletes producing personal best performances.
Ashe’s remarkable 9.93-second run stood out as one of the fastest times ever recorded by a Nigerian sprinter and further underlined the country’s bright prospects in the sprint events.
Notably, three home-based athletes — Favour Ashe, Chidera Ezeakor and Tejiri Godwin — achieved the qualifying benchmark for the Ben Aghazu Excellence in Athletics Prize, adding another layer of significance to their performances.
Elsewhere at the trials, Johnson Tyler claimed the men’s 400m national title after crossing the line in 45.75 seconds. Achakpoekir Victory finished second in 45.91 seconds, while Emmanuel Ojeli secured bronze in 45.94 seconds.
In the women’s 400m final, veteran quarter-miler Patience Okon-George once again showcased her experience and class, winning gold in 51.87 seconds to secure the national title, with Kudoro Taiwo finishing second to claim silver.
The impressive performances at the Lagos trials have heightened expectations for Team Nigeria as preparations continue for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with several athletes demonstrating strong form and readiness for international competition.
