Nigerian sprinter Favour Ashe struck gold in the men’s 100 metres at the BFTAA Open in Lee Valley, England, just two days ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, providing a timely lift for Team Nigeria’s prospects in the men’s 4x100m relay.
Ashe’s win sets the tone for Nigeria
Ashe posted 10.06 seconds with a +2.6 metres per second tailwind to win the race, edging out Great Britain’s Nicholas Walsh, who finished second in 10.11. Ade Adewale, also representing Nigeria, took third with 10.19 seconds.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) said the result places Ashe in a strong position to spearhead Nigeria’s challenge in the 4x100m relay—one of the most anticipated events within the athletics programme at Glasgow 2026.
Nigeria’s relay pedigree on the world stage
Nigeria’s history in the 4x100m relay is well established, with multiple major-medal moments across decades:
- Osmond Ezinwa, Olapade Adeniken, Francis Obikwelu and Davidson Ezinwa won silver at the 1997 World Championships in Athens, registering a national record of 37.94 seconds that remains unbeaten.
- In 1999 at the Seville World Championships, Innocent Asonze, Obikwelu, Daniel Effiong and Deji Aliu added bronze for Nigeria.
- Nigeria’s quartet at Beijing 2008 later received an upgrade to Olympic silver after Jamaica’s disqualification.
Commonwealth results and Glasgow 2026 relay squad
At Commonwealth Games level, Nigeria have also regularly threatened for medals, taking relay bronze twice—at Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018—before earning their best placement of silver at Birmingham 2022. That Birmingham 2022 relay featured Ashe alongside Raymond Ekevwo, Alaba Akintola and Udodi Onwuzurike.
For Glasgow 2026, Nigeria’s relay group is made up of Ashe, Israel Sunday Okon, Fakorede Adekalu, Kanyinsola Ajayi, Alaba Akintola, Udodi Onwuzurike and Chidera Ezeakor.
The athletics programme is scheduled to begin on 23 July.
