Kanyinsola Ajayi

Author: Gist Correspondent

World Athletics Championships bronze medallist, Kanyinsola Ajayi, has attributed his rise to the international athletics stage to grassroots support, family encouragement and the guidance of his coaches.

Ajayi spoke at a news conference organised by the Lagos State Athletics Association in Lagos on Friday to celebrate his achievement and discuss his career, challenges and future plans.

The 100m sprinter said the support he received from his coaches, family and community had played a major role in shaping his career.

He particularly praised his first coach, Olapade Lawal, for believing in his potential and laying the foundation for his development as an athlete.

“I carry the hopes of the people who raised me, the pride of a nation and the strength of a continent,” Ajayi said.

He also appreciated his family, friends, mentors, teammates and neighbours for their sacrifices, guidance and encouragement.

“No one rises alone. Community is not just a support system; it is the soil that allows us to grow,” he added.

Ajayi said his hard work and discipline eventually earned him the opportunity to attend Auburn University in the United States.

He urged young athletes to maximise every opportunity available to them, remain connected to their families and communities, and help others succeed along the way.

“I will represent my country well. I will represent Africa with pride,” he said.

Chairman of the Lagos State Athletics Association, Solomon Alao, described Ajayi as a role model for athletes in the state, saying his progress had been inspiring.

“Kanyinsola Ajayi is a role model to all other athletes at the moment in Lagos. His progress so far is just inspiring,” Alao said.

He noted that Ajayi had competed at several major competitions, including the World Youth Athletics Championships in Cali, Colombia, the African Youth Games in Zambia and the Commonwealth Games.

“He has been on the rise and 2026 was a statement year for him,” Alao said.

The chairman said the association would continue to strengthen its grassroots development programmes to discover and nurture more talents.

“Kanyinsola Ajayi’s discovery came from our grassroots development programmes and we will continue to promote those and look for more talents,” he said.

Ajayi’s first grassroots coach, Olapade Lawal, recalled discovering him while he was still playing football before encouraging him to take up athletics.

Lawal said Ajayi initially resisted athletics training and even left after his first session, but she later visited his home and persuaded him to return.

“I told him there is a competition coming, please come. I know you can do it. He came back and today, I am happy to see where he is,” she said.

She attributed his progress partly to his discipline and willingness to listen and urged parents and coaches to provide young athletes with the equipment and support they need.

“Let us keep encouraging athletes. These athletes need our support to get to where they want to be,” Lawal said.

The association’s Secretary, Akeem Rabiu-Okikioposu, also commended Ajayi for his dedication, hard work and commitment to athletics.

He said Ajayi’s journey from grassroots development to the international stage demonstrated the importance of identifying and nurturing young talents.

“Ajayi represents a generation of athletes who have shown that through dedication, hard work and commitment, the sky is the limit,” he said.

Rabiu-Okikioposu added that Ajayi had become an inspiration to other athletes being trained across Lagos.

“Ajayi has brought us hope. He has shown us that everything is possible through dedication and hard work,” he said, while commending the athlete, his coaches and the association’s leadership.

“The best is yet to come,” Rabiu-Okikioposu said.