Nigeria’s Kanyinsola Ajayi produced the biggest victory of his career on Saturday, upsetting reigning world champion Oblique Seville to win the men’s 100 metres at the 2026 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon.
The 21-year-old stormed to victory in a season’s best 9.84 seconds in the non-Diamond League race at Hayward Field, defeating a world-class field to further cement his status as one of the fastest men in the world this year.
Seville settled for second in 9.89 seconds, while American Olympian Christian Coleman finished third in 9.95 seconds, just ahead of compatriot Kenneth Bednarek, who clocked 9.96.
The triumph capped another standout performance in what has been a breakthrough season for Ajayi, who recently claimed the men’s 100m title at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Seville made the better start, but Ajayi quickly hit top speed, surged past the Jamaican before halfway and never relinquished the lead. His winning time of 9.84 seconds is the second-fastest in the world this season, behind only Seville’s 9.82.
Speaking after the race, Ajayi said he was delighted to maintain his impressive form on one of athletics’ biggest stages. He added that his focus was on executing his race plan, a strategy that ultimately delivered the victory.
Seville admitted he was below his best but said he was encouraged to come through the race healthy as he builds towards the major championships later this season.
Bednarek, meanwhile, was more critical of his own performance. The American, who recently won the 100m at the 2026 LA Grand Prix, said he failed to accelerate effectively out of the blocks and paid the price against such elite competition, noting that even the smallest mistakes prove costly at the highest level.
Ajayi’s latest victory adds further momentum to a remarkable campaign that has established the Nigerian as one of the leading contenders in global sprinting.
