Nigerian sprinters are beginning to find their rhythm again on the international stage, and two familiar names are at the forefront of this promising resurgence—Favour Ashe and Seye Ogunlewe.
At the International Meet in Anhalt, Germany, Favour Ashe produced an eye-catching performance, clocking a new Season’s Best (SB) of 10.08s (+0.3) to finish third in the 100m Final A. It was a performance that highlighted his steady return to form and gave Nigerian track and field fans plenty of reason to believe that better times are just around the corner.
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Earlier in the competition, Ashe had comfortably won his heat in 10.11s, already showing glimpses of the speed that once made him one of Nigeria’s most exciting young sprint prospects.
The race was won by Canada’s Jerome Blake, who scorched the track with a Meet Record of 9.97s, while South Africa’s Tsebo Matsoso took second with a Personal Best of 10.03s. Also in that fiercely competitive final was Nigeria’s Folawiyo Olaoye, who continued to impress with a new PB of 10.21s, placing sixth but showing clear signs of upward progress.
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Meanwhile, in Geneva, Switzerland, Seye Ogunlewe, a seasoned campaigner in the 100m, delivered his own standout moment at the Atletica Geneve. Racing in Heat 2, Ogunlewe stormed to second place with a solid Season’s Best of 10.17s (-0.4), narrowly edged by Taymir Burnet of the Netherlands who finished in 10.14s.
For Ogunlewe, who has been steadily rebuilding his form after past injury setbacks and off-track challenges, this performance represents more than just time on a stopwatch. It’s a testament to his persistence, experience, and hunger to remain one of Nigeria’s top sprinters.
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Both Ashe and Ogunlewe are expected to feature prominently in upcoming meets as they sharpen up ahead of national trials and potential global competitions, including the African Championships and Paris 2024 Olympics.
For Nigerian athletics, these results are not just encouraging—they are necessary. The country’s male sprinting landscape has been calling out for resurgence, and performances like these are a sign that the response is already underway.
Picture Credit: Making of Champions Facebook Page
