As Nigeria sends a 15 athlete squad to Tokyo 2025 stars like Tobi Amusan Ese Brume and young sprinter Kayinsola Ajayi carry hopes From national records to finals appearances here is the full story behind their quest for medals .
Nigerias Squad and Big Names
Nigeria has assembled a team of 15 athletes made up of eight men and seven women for the 2025 World Athletics Championships taking place in Tokyo from September 13 to 21 This team represents a blend of established champions and rising stars and it carries the weight of a nation eager to return to the podium on the global stage .
Leading the group is Tobi Amusan the world record holder in the womens 100 metre hurdles She is a former world champion and one of Nigerias best bets for a medal in Tokyo Ese Brume adds further experience as a long jump specialist with both world and Olympic medals already to her name Brume has consistently set standards for African jumpers on the global circuit .
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The newest addition to Nigerias big stage is Kayinsola Ajayi the young sprinter who became national champion in 2024 and has carried that form into 2025 Ajayi is seen as the future of Nigerian sprinting and his rapid development has already placed him among the elite in world athletics .
Kayinsola Ajayis Breakthrough and Historic 100m Final
A Rising Star
Born in 2004 Ajayi has quickly grown into one of the most exciting talents from Nigeria His rise began with victory in the Nigerian national 100m title in June 2024 and continued with sharp improvements in his sprint times including the 60m indoors His early performances on the African stage confirmed him as a name to watch and his move into global competition has only strengthened that reputation .
Historic Final in Tokyo
At the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo Ajayi achieved a feat no Nigerian man had done in almost two decades He reached the final of the mens 100m becoming the first Nigerian since Olusoji Fasuba 18 years ago to do so In the final Ajayi finished sixth with a time of 10.00 seconds His semifinal performance was even more impressive at 9.93 seconds and in earlier rounds he had clocked a 9.88 showing he belongs among the worlds fastest men .
This achievement was celebrated both at home in Nigeria and at his American college base at Auburn University His performance has been taken as proof that Ajayi can compete with the very best and that Nigerian sprinting is once again moving closer to medal territory on the global stage .
Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume Proven Medal Assets
Tobi Amusan
Tobi Amusan remains Nigerias brightest star in athletics She set the world record in the 100m hurdles in 2022 and claimed the world title that same year Amusan has also collected multiple gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and African Championships Her consistency at the highest level makes her the countrys strongest hope for gold in Tokyo .
Ese Brume
Ese Brume brings experience and reliability to the Nigerian squad She is a multiple time global medallist with bronze medals at the World Championships and at the Tokyo Olympics She also made history as the first African woman to record multiple long jump marks over seven metres in one season Her technical quality and ability to perform under pressure make her a likely contender for another medal at these championships .
Team Nigerias Goals and Challenges
Medal Expectations
Nigeria goes into Tokyo with realistic hopes of at least one medal from Amusan and Brume The presence of Ajayi in the 100m final gives the team additional optimism but sprint medals are notoriously difficult to secure Still his emergence signals a stronger future for Nigeria in the event .
Historic Significance
Ajayis breakthrough is significant not just for his career but for Nigerian athletics as a whole It ended an 18 year drought for the nation in the 100m final at the World Championships Brume continues to lead by example in the jumps while Amusan remains a global face of hurdling and a symbol of resilience and excellence .
Obstacles and Areas to Watch
While Nigeria has strong headline names the depth of the squad is thinner compared to global powerhouses A team of 15 is competitive but not large in scale Success will depend on each athlete delivering peak form during the championship There have also been concerns about preparation and logistics including issues with kits and support which can affect morale at critical times .
Looking Ahead What Success Looks Like
If everything goes according to plan Nigeria could see Amusan on the podium with gold or silver in the 100m hurdles Brume is also capable of a medal if she reproduces her season bests in the long jump For Ajayi the aim will be to build on his finals appearance A sub 10 second performance under championship pressure could put him in medal contention in the near future Beyond medals top eight finishes would still represent progress and demonstrate that Nigeria remains a force in athletics .
Conclusion
Nigeria enters the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo with a mix of proven champions and fresh talent Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume provide established medal credentials while Kayinsola Ajayi represents the next generation making history by reaching the 100m final This balance of experience and youth offers Nigeria both immediate chances for success and a bright future As the championships unfold the nations hopes rest on these stars to deliver memorable performances that will inspire the next wave of athletes back home .