Kanyinsola Ajayi: Perfect birthday gift - Fans praise first Nigerian in 18 years to reach world championships 100m final

Nigerians have celebrated Kanyinsola Ajayi as he became a national hero, securing a historic place in the men's 100m final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

The incredible feat, achieved on his 21st birthday, has been met with an outpouring of joy and pride from Nigerians across the globe, who celebrated his performance as the best birthday gift a young athlete could give himself.

Ajayi, an Auburn University standout, made history by becoming the first Nigerian in 18 years to qualify for the men's 100m final at a World Championships, a feat not seen since Olusoji Fasuba's run in Osaka in 2007.

Ajayi first grabbed headlines during the heats by clocking a massive personal best of 9.88s, a performance that made him Nigeria's third-fastest man of all time, behind only national record holder Olusoji Fasuba and Divine Oduduru.

His time was also the fastest ever by a Nigerian in World Championships history, signalling his arrival on the global stage.

Not content with just a fast heat, Ajayi showed his determination in the semifinals, where he ran a composed race to finish second in his heat with a time of 9.93s, just behind reigning world and Olympic champion Noah Lyles. By finishing in the top two, he automatically secured his spot in the final, igniting widespread jubilation.

The news of Ajayi's qualification has sent shockwaves of excitement throughout Nigeria.

On social media, fans celebrated his achievement, calling it a "win for the nation." Many pointed out the importance of the accomplishment coming on his birthday, with comments like "He has given himself the best birthday gift ever. Weldone Kanyinsola Ajayi."

Ajayi's historic run now places him in a position to potentially become Nigeria's first-ever men's 100m medallist at a World Championships. All eyes are now on the final as Nigerians hold their breath, hoping to see their young star make even more history.