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By Joe Apu
Favour Ashe stole the spotlight on the final day of the 2026 Commonwealth Games National Trials, producing a personal best performance and revealing the challenges he faced in recent years as the three-day event concluded at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex in Lagos on Tuesday.
The Delta State sprinter stormed to victory in the men’s 100m final, clocking a legal 9.93 seconds to claim the national title and lower his previous personal best of 9.94 seconds, set in the United States in 2024. Earlier in the day, Ashe had hinted at his form by running a wind-assisted 9.97 seconds in the semi-finals.
Speaking after his victory, the Nigerian sprint star told the AFN media that difficulties with renewing his United States visa disrupted his training plans and forced him to seek a fresh start in Qatar.
“These past years have been tough. I didn’t get my visa back to the US. The fans didn’t know that. I was in Nigeria training,” Ashe said.
“Because of the pressure, I went to Qatar, not because of the money. I went there because I wanted to feel myself again. This year, the AFN President, Tonobok Okowa, called me to come back to Nigeria. I knew if I came back, I would be more disciplined, so I’m happy to get the win today.”
The men’s 100m final also produced impressive performances from Fakorede Adekalu and Chidera Ezeakor. Adekalu broke the 10-second barrier for the first time in his career, finishing second in 9.98 seconds, while Ezeakor posted a personal best of 10.03 seconds to secure third place.
In the women’s 400m, veteran quarter-miler Patience Okon-George turned back the clock with a commanding victory. The experienced athlete outran a youthful field to win in 51.85 seconds. US-based Taiwo Kudoro finished second with a personal best of 52.30 seconds, while Faith Ezechukwu also achieved a new personal best of 53.12 seconds to place third.
The men’s 400m title went to former US-based athlete Tyler Johnson, who claimed his first national crown in a time of 45.75 seconds. Victory Achakpoekiri followed closely in second place with 45.91 seconds, while Emmanuel Ojeli completed the podium in 45.94 seconds.
The trials concluded with champions also emerging in the women’s 100m hurdles, men’s 110m hurdles, and the men’s and women’s 200m events, among others.
With the national trials now completed, attention shifts to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s selection of athletes who will represent the country at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
