Ajayi Runs 9.94 as Nathaniel Miss Podium at Silesia Diamond League

Kanyinsola Ajayi and Ezekiel Nathaniel both finished fourth in their events at the Silesia Diamond League, leaving Nigeria without a podium result. Ajayi clocked 9.94 seconds in the men’s 100m, while Nathaniel recorded 47.83 seconds in the 400m hurdles.

Ajayi was beaten by Jamaica’s Oblique Seville, who won the 100m in 9.83 seconds and set a new meeting record. American Kenny Bednarek finished second in 9.87, with compatriot Christian Coleman taking third in 9.93.

South Africa’s Gift Leotlela was fifth in 9.95, while Akani Simbine placed seventh in 9.96. Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme finished ninth after running 9.99, giving the sprint final a strong African presence beyond Ajayi’s fourth-place finish.

Nathaniel’s 47.83 seconds placed him just outside the medal positions in the 400m hurdles. His result matched Ajayi’s ranking, but neither Nigerian reached the podium in Silesia.

Botswana’s Collen Kebinatshipi won the men’s 400m in 43.59 seconds, breaking the meeting record. American Rai Benjamin was second in 43.83, his first time under 44 seconds in the event, while South Africa’s Zakithi Nene completed the podium in 44.37.

The results kept Nigeria’s representation in the spotlight across two sprint disciplines, although Ajayi and Nathaniel fell short of the top three. Seville’s record-setting victory and Kebinatshipi’s 400m performance supplied the meeting’s leading marks.