By Emeka Dennar
Nigeria is positioning itself to make a major statement on the global athletics stage next month as top track and field stars finalize preparations for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship, scheduled for September 11–13 at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary.
Designed by World Athletics as an elite, high-stakes finale to the outdoor season, the three-day showdown brings together Olympic champions, World champions, Diamond League winners, and top-ranked athletes from 2026 to determine ultimate supremacy in track and field.
Heading Team Nigeria’s charge are several early qualifiers who have already booked their spots in Budapest:
- Tobi Amusan (Women’s 100m Hurdles)
- Nathaniel Ezekiel (Men’s 400m Hurdles)
- Samuel Ogazi (Men’s 400m)
- Kayinsola Ajayi (Men’s 100m)
- Ella Onojuvwevwo (Women’s 400m)
Additional Nigerian athletes remain in a tight race to secure entry before the final World Athletics qualification deadline on September 2. High jumper Temitope Adeshina continues her push for a spot, while members of Nigeria’s relay pool—including Alaba Akintola, Udodi Onwuzurike, Favour Ashe, Miracle Ezechukwu, Rosemary Chigozie, and Jennifer Obi Chukwuka—are eyeing late inclusions.
The Nigerian contingent faces a formidable field in Budapest. Confirmed international star power includes Olympic gold medalists Noah Lyles, Mondo Duplantis, Julien Alfred, Faith Kipyegon, Yaroslava Mahuchikh, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Rai Benjamin, and Marileidy Paulino. World-class contenders Femke Bol, Letsile Tebogo, Oblique Seville, and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden will also headline the event.
For Nigeria’s rising talents like Ajayi and Ogazi, the inaugural championship serves as a critical proving ground to test themselves against global titans alongside experienced stars like Amusan and Ezekiel. With qualification wrapping up in days, Nigerian athletics fans will be closely watching the final entry list ahead of September’s historic event.
