Nigeria, Sept. 14 -- Nigeria's Kanyinsola Ajayi has written his name into the history books, becoming the first Nigerian man in 18 years to qualify for a World Championships 100m final.

The 20-year-old sprinter clocked 9.93 seconds to finish second in his semifinal on Sunday at the Tokyo 2025 World Athletics Championships, securing automatic passage into the showpiece race.

Ajayi's feat brings back memories of Olusoji Fasuba, who last made the men's 100m final for Nigeria in Osaka 2007, where he placed fourth.

Fasuba also remains the Nigerian record holder with 9.85 seconds, a mark Ajayi is edging closer to with his lifetime best of 9.88 seconds, set in his first race in Tokyo.

Drawn in the first of three semifinal heats, Ajayi faced ...