Day One of the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo was a mix of highs and lows for Team Nigeria. The morning session saw just one athlete make it to the finals, but the afternoon brought hope and excitement.
Kayinsola Ajayi and Israel Okon Sunday made impressive debuts in the men’s 100m. Ajayi ran a Personal Best (PB) of 9.88s, becoming the third fastest Nigerian sprinter of all time. He now holds the record for the most sub-10s in a season by a Nigerian, with five in 2025. He finished second in his heat, just behind South Africa’s Gift Leotlela.
Okon, in his first major senior competition, ran a solid 10.04s to win his heat, beating Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes (10.06s) and Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs of Italy (10.20s). He showed the composure of a veteran, taking the lead and securing a spot in the semifinals.
Ajayi’s feat puts him alongside Nigerian greats like Olusoji Fasuba and Divine Oduduru, who have also dipped under 9.90s.
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, Nigeria’s shot put record-holder, after advancing to the finals with a throw of 20.83m, threw 21.52m, securing 5th place, his best finish at the World Championships or Olympics.
Rosemary Chukwuma was Nigeria’s sole representative in the women’s 100m. She finished 5th in her heat with a time of 11.27s, missing the semifinals in a race won by Jamaica’s Tia Clayton in 11.01s.
In the women’s Long Jump, Prestina Ochonogor finished 16th with a jump of 6.05m, while Ese Brume, who made a remarkable recovery after a near-fatal car accident in 2024, placed 10th with a jump of 6.46m.
Chioma Onyekwere-Lyons and Obiageri Amaechi competed in the women’s Discus Throw. Amaechi’s throw of 55.69m in her second attempt was not enough to qualify for the final, as she placed 16th in her group.
Onyekwere, a seasoned competitor, started strong with a 59.45m throw. However, she fouled her next two attempts and fell short of qualifying, ending her campaign. Since her World Championships debut in Doha 2019, Onyekwere has now competed in four editions of the event for Nigeria.
