Nigerian track star Kanyinsola Ajayi produced fireworks in the men’s 100m at the 2026 Prefontaine Classic on Saturday (4 July), powering to victory in a time of 9.84 seconds (wind: +0.1m/s) at Hayward Field.
Reigning world champion Oblique Seville finished second at 9.89, with U.S. Olympian Christian Coleman (9.95) edging out teammate Kenneth Bednarek (9.96) to place third in the non-Diamond League event in Eugene, Oregon.
It was a statement showing from the African rising star, who strode away from some of the most formidable sprinters in the world, following up his recent 100m title at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in style.
Even with Seville out of the blocks, Ajayi powered away from the Jamaican star in the acceleration phase of the race, taking the lead outright at the 30m mark and never looking back. His time was second only to Seville’s own 9.82 this season.
“I feel good, I’ve been consistent,” the 21-year-old told reporters after the race. “That was part of my goal. Stay on top of it all, stay consistent, come out here and do what I have to do and just execute my race. So I feel good about that.”
While less enthused with his runner-up performance, Seville sought to take stock of where he was at this point the season, finding a silver-lining in the result.
“It wasn’t that bad,” admitted the Jamaican. “I don’t think that’s my best race, because I might have executed a better race than the race I ran, but I’m glad that I am healthy.”
Beaten into third on the line by Coleman, Bednarek – who’d recently won the men’s 100m at the 2026 LA Grand Prix – was much less diplomatic about his performance.
“Honestly, I think it was terrible. I’m in way better shape than what I put out today,” he said in the mixed zone. ”I didn’t have the acceleration, kind of stepped out the box, and that was pretty much it.
“[When] we got a good field like this, you can’t make mistakes like that.”
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