Ajayi signs Adidas deal after record-breaking spell

Nigerian sprinter Kanyinsola Ajayi has turned professional after signing a sponsorship deal with Adidas, capping a record-breaking season that has established him among the world’s fastest men, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The 21-year-old announced the partnership on his X page on Thursday, describing it as the beginning of a new chapter in his athletics career.

“I am grateful to God to finally announce that I am officially embarking on the next chapter of my journey, continuing my professional track and field career with Adidas,” he wrote.

The move comes less than two weeks after Ajayi won bronze in the men’s 100 metres at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, clocking 9.90 seconds to become Nigeria’s first men’s 100m medallist at the Games in 20 years.

He finished behind Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme, who claimed gold in a Games record of 9.83 seconds, and Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy, who took silver in 9.85 seconds.

Ajayi had progressed to the final after winning his semi-final in 9.94 seconds before producing another sub-10-second run in the championship race.

Born in September 2004, the sprinter is already a two-time African U20 champion and an African Championships silver medallist.

He improved the Nigerian 100m record to 9.84 seconds earlier this season, with a wind-assisted 9.72 seconds standing as his fastest time of the year and 9.84 seconds his legal personal best.

He has also secured two Diamond League victories this season and is currently ranked fifth in the world in the men’s 100m by World Athletics, following a career built through collegiate athletics in the United States.

With his new professional status secured, Ajayi is now expected to focus fully on his development as he targets medals at the World Championships, the Olympic Games and other major international meets.