By Maxwell Kumoye
Nigeria, Botswana, Kenya and Ghana produced eye-catching performances at the 2026 Prefontaine Classic, with several African athletes delivering standout displays against world-class opposition in Eugene, Oregon.
Nigeria’s sprint sensation Kayinsola Ajayi stole the headlines by powering to victory in the men’s 100m, clocking a brilliant 9.84 seconds to defeat Jamaica’s Oblique Seville (9.89s) and American star Kenneth Bednarek (9.95s).
The impressive run further strengthens Ajayi’s credentials as one of the world’s fastest men this season.
Ghana’s sprinters also featured prominently in the men’s 100m. Abdul-Rasheed Saminu finished seventh in 10.15 seconds, while compatriot Joseph Paul Amoah crossed the line ninth in 10.19 seconds against a world-class field.
Fellow Nigerian Tobi Amusan also impressed in the women’s 100m hurdles, finishing second in 12.34 seconds behind American Masai Russell, who won in a world-leading 12.24s.
Amusan comfortably held off Bahamian Devynne Charlton, who placed third in 12.41s.
There was another encouraging outing for Nigeria as Favour Ofili placed eighth in a star-studded women’s 100m final, crossing the line in 11.07 seconds.
The race was won by American Melissa Jefferson-Wooden in 10.78s, just ahead of compatriot Sha’Carri Richardson (10.79s).
In the men’s 400m, Nigerian quarter-miler Ezekiel Nathaniel finished eighth in 45.32 seconds in a high-quality race won by Botswana’s Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, whose outstanding 44.00-second performance secured victory ahead of American Olympic champion Rai Benjamin (44.11s).
Botswana continued its impressive showing through reigning sprint star Letsile Tebogo, who claimed second place in the men’s 200m with a season’s best 19.93 seconds, finishing behind American Tate Taylor, who stormed to victory in 19.75s.
Kenya celebrated one of Africa’s biggest victories of the meeting as Lilian Odira produced a superb run to win the women’s 800m in 1:56.19, holding off Great Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson (1:56.73) and American Addison Wiley (1:57.70).
Odira’s performance underlined Kenya’s enduring strength in the middle-distance events.
The performances by athletes from Nigeria, Botswana, Kenya and Ghana provided another reminder of Africa’s growing influence on the global athletics stage, with victories and podium finishes across the sprints, hurdles and middle-distance events serving as an encouraging sign ahead of the major championships later in the season
