Ajayi, Adeshina Win Bronze as Nigeria Continues Athletics Medal Charge at Commonwealth Games

Nigeria’s athletics team added two more medals to its growing tally at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Tuesday as sprint sensation Kayinsola Ajayi and high jumper Temitope Adeshina secured bronze medals in their respective events.

Ajayi delivered another outstanding performance in the men’s 100m final, clocking 9.90 seconds to finish third behind Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme and Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy.

Eseme stormed to gold in a new Commonwealth Games record of 9.83 seconds, while Kennedy claimed silver after setting an Oceanian record and personal best of 9.85 seconds.

Although he narrowly missed out on gold, Ajayi’s bronze medal further underlined his remarkable rise this season. The 21-year-old arrived in Glasgow as one of the favourites after winning his semi-final in 9.94 seconds, having already established himself among the world’s fastest sprinters.

The Auburn University star has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign, winning the NCAA men’s 100m title before breaking Olusoji Fasuba’s long-standing Nigerian record with a stunning 9.84 seconds. He has since equalled that national record twice and claimed victories in two Diamond League meetings before the Commonwealth Games.

Ajayi was Nigeria’s only finalist in the men’s 100m after compatriots Favour Ashe and Fakorede Adekalu were eliminated in the semi-finals. Ashe finished fifth in his race in 10.07 seconds, while Adekalu placed fourth in 10.06 seconds.

In the women’s high jump, Adeshina also delivered a podium finish after clearing 1.90m to secure the bronze medal.

The Nigerian record holder continued her impressive run of form following an outstanding collegiate season in the United States, adding a Commonwealth Games medal to her growing list of achievements after qualifying comfortably for the final.

Meanwhile, Miracle Ezechukwu narrowly missed out on a place in the women’s 100m final. The promising youngster finished fourth in her semi-final in 11.23 seconds, falling just short of qualification.

It was a disappointing outing for Rosemary Chukwuma, who crossed the line eighth in her semi-final after appearing to suffer an injury during the race, while national champion Blessing Ogundiran was unable to compete after withdrawing because of illness.

The two bronze medals further strengthened Team Nigeria’s athletics campaign as the country’s athletes continue their quest for more podium finishes at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.