Nigeria’s Kanyinsola Ajayi and Ezekiel Nathaniel have secured automatic qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing, China.
Ajayi booked his place in the men’s 100m after clocking 9.94 seconds at the Silesia Diamond League in Poland, surpassing the required qualifying standard.
The 21 year old sprinter has enjoyed a remarkable 2026 season, equalling Nigeria’s national record of 9.84 seconds, winning the NCAA title and recording notable victories over reigning world champion Oblique Seville.
Nathaniel also secured automatic qualification in the men’s 400m hurdles after running 47.83 seconds to meet the required standard.
The Commonwealth Games champion and Nigerian record holder set his personal and national best of 47.11 seconds at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.
Ajayi and Nathaniel are the first two Nigerian athletes to secure automatic qualification for the 2027 championships, with the qualification window still open for more athletes to join them.
Nigeria will be hoping to field a strong contingent in Beijing as preparations for the global athletics showpiece continue.
