Amusan, Kanyinsola, Nathaniel, Ella set to storm Budapest for ultimate championship
Nigeria will parade a formidable blend of established stars and emerging talents at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship, with Tobi Amusan, Kayinsola Ajayi, Nathaniel Ezekiel, Samuel Ogazi and Ella Onojuvwevwo among the athletes set to carry the country’s hopes in Budapest, Hungary, from September 11 to 13, 2026.
Amusan headlines the contingent, with the women’s 100m hurdles world-record holder bringing vast experience to the three-day showpiece. The Nigerian owns the world record of 12.12 seconds, won Nigeria’s first women’s World Championships gold in 2022 and is a three-time Diamond League Final champion. She currently sits second in the world rankings, while Nathaniel Ezekiel will enter the men’s 400m hurdles after winning Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow in 48.47 seconds and ranking fourth globally.
Much of the spotlight, however, will be on Nigeria’s rapidly emerging sprint stars. Kayinsola Ajayi has enjoyed a remarkable 2026 campaign, equalling the Nigerian 100m record three times and clocking 9.84 seconds to win the London Athletics Meet. The 21 year old, who has also claimed two Diamond League victories and an NCAA title, currently ranks fifth in the world. In the men’s 400m, 20 year old Samuel Ogazi arrives as Commonwealth champion and Nigerian record holder after running 43.38 seconds earlier in the season and winning Glasgow gold in 44.25.
Ella Onojuvwevwo has also emerged as a major prospect after becoming the first Nigerian woman in more than two decades to break 50 seconds in the 400m, clocking 49.59 seconds. The 21-year-old also set an African indoor record of 50.28 seconds before claiming Commonwealth Games bronze in Glasgow.
Temitope Adeshina remains in contention for qualification, while Nigeria’s relay pool includes Alaba Akintola, Udodi Onwuzurike, Favour Ashe, Miracle Ezechukwu, Rosemary Chigozie and Jennifer Obi Chukwuka, with the qualification window closing on September 2.
The Nigerians will face an extraordinary field in Budapest, with Olympic and world champions including Mondo Duplantis, Noah Lyles, Julien Alfred, Faith Kipyegon, Yaroslava Mahuchikh, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Rai Benjamin and Marileidy Paulino already qualified. With a record US$10 million prize purse and US$150,000 reserved for each individual champion, the Ultimate Championship promises a spectacular first edition and Nigeria’s new generation will have a major opportunity to establish itself among the world’s athletics elite.
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