June 2, (THEWILL)- Nigeria’s track and field history is adorned with athletes whose performances have made them successful names in the sport. Olusoji Fasuba, for example, who holds the national 100m record with a time of 9.85 seconds, has raised the bar for sprinters nationwide. In the realm of hurdles, Tobi Amusan stands out as the champion of the 100 metres hurdles in the World, Commonwealth and African championships.
Amidst these track and field giants, Favour Oghenetejiri Ashe is carving a legacy of his own. At the tender age of 22, this sprinter from Ughelli in Delta State is already showing signs of greatness, with performances that hint at a future filled with Olympic accolades and national pride. His rapid ascent in the world of track and field is a beacon of hope for Nigeria’s Olympic aspirations.
In a feat never before achieved by a Nigerian, Ashe recently became the first to clock sub-10 second times in the 100m dash on five separate occasions across three consecutive years. His latest jaw-dropping performance came at the NCAA East Prelims in the United States last Friday, where he scorched the track in 9.94 seconds – the fastest NCAA time this year and second-quickest globally in 2024 so far.
This prodigious burst not only punched Ashe’s ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Championships beginning June 7 but also established him as the red-hot favourite to claim the NCAA 100m crown in Eugene, Oregon. Moreover, his scintillating form has thrust him into the global spotlight as a genuine Olympic medal contender for the Paris 2024 Games.
Ashe’s stratospheric rise seemed unfathomable, just a few years ago. Growing up in Ughelli, his introduction to athletics was unstructured – dashing down streets in informal races against friends. Yet coaches recognised his raw talent, initiating a journey that would propel him onto the international stage.
The challenges were immense back then, with limited facilities and equipment. But Ashe was obsessed with running, it was his singular passion. The streets were his training ground and the dream of representing Nigeria on the highest stage fueled his tireless pursuit.
Overcoming obstacles has been a defining hallmark of Ashe’s career. Injuries, self-doubt and lack of resources threatened to derail his ambitions time and again. Yet, an unwavering determination, coupled with the unconditional support of coaches and family, enabled him to stay the course against all odds.
There were countless times when the young Ashe felt like quitting, overwhelmed by the sacrifices required to follow his improbable dream. But something deep within would not allow him to surrender. He had to dig deeper than ever before, pushing through barriers of pain and adversity to keep chasing his goals.
That reservoir of resilience has been handsomely rewarded. After dazzling at regional competitions as a teenager, Ashe earned a scholarship to the University of Tennessee, providing access to world-class training facilities and coaching expertise that accelerated his development.
Ashe’s 2022 transition to Auburn University heralded a new era of excellence. With each passing season, he smashed personal bests, times and qualifying standards for the Paris Olympics, including a blistering 9.96 second record at last year’s NCAA Championships.
With five sub-10 second times now etched against his name, Ashe has surpassed the feats of iconic Nigerian sprinters like Davidson Ezinwa, Olapade Adeniken and Deji Aliu whose records had stood for decades. His achievements have shattered psychological barriers, igniting belief that a first Olympic 100m medal for Nigeria is now an attainable reality.
To be ranked among the all-time Nigerian greats is an immense honour for the 22-year-old phenomenon. Still, Ashe’s ambitions extend far beyond personal accomplishments and national records. He feels a profound sense of responsibility to elevate Nigerian athletics onto the global stage and bring home Olympic glory like never before.
That dogged hunger for greatness will face its ultimate examination in Paris. Seasoned Olympic campaigners like American Trayvon Bromell and Canadian Andre De Grasse will undoubtedly provide formidable opposition. Yet Ashe’s unstoppable momentum, coupled with his unflappable self-belief, suggests he will not be overawed on the biggest stage.
For Ashe, the Olympics transcends personal ambition. It represents an opportunity to continue to write Nigeria’s sprinting history and inspire future generations to pursue their wildest dreams without compromise. With an aura of destined greatness, he heads to Paris carrying the hopes of an entire nation yearning for its first Olympic 100m medal.
Ashe’s trail-blazing exploits have already notched him a place among Nigeria’s sporting pantheon. History awaits the young “Nigerian Nightmare” in the French capital. Also, should he conquer the world’s highest podium, Ashe’s legend may ultimately be defined as the spark that ignited a new era of global track and field superstars emerging from the fertile grounds of Nigerian athletics.
For the first time in decades, Nigeria’s fervent sports fans dare to dream of a credible Olympic 100m champion. They have witnessed false dawns before, but Ashe’s trailblazing impact has instilled newfound belief that years of hurt can finally be erased on the hallowed streets of Paris.
The weight of such expectations would buckle lesser mortals. Still, burden has long been Ashe’s travelling companion – each sacrifice driving him harder, every setback fueling his insatiable desire to keep re-writing the record books.
From the bustling streets of Ughelli to the elevated stratosphere of elite international competition, the Nigerian sensation has harnessed an unbreakable will to succeed. A will forged from modest beginnings and fanned by the eternal flame of youthful ambition.
Now, on the verge of his ultimate obsession becoming reality, Ashe carries the hopes of a nation thirsty for its maiden Olympic sprint triumph. A grievous 33-year wait could finally be ending in spectacular fashion in Paris next month.
In many ways, Ashe has already assured himself an iconic legacy as the true flag-bearer for a new era of Nigerian track and field excellence. The precedents he has demolished, the barriers he has shattered – both psychological and physical – will echo across generations to come.
Yet records and times remain mere footprints in Ashe’s tale. His impact has reverberated far beyond athletics tracks, inspiring young Nigerians nationwide to dream wildly and chase greatness like never before. For in his deeds, they have witnessed the galvanising life force of possibility born from self-belief, dedication and sacrifice.
As he prepares to duel with the world’s very best on the grandest stage of all, it is that transformative power of inspiration which may ultimately anoint Ashe as one of Nigeria’s most transcendent sporting figures. Win or lose in Paris, his heroics have already lit an eternal flame to usher in a new age for Nigerian athletics.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
