Yinka Ajayi (born 11th of August 1997) is a Nigerian sprinter specialising in the 400 metres.[2] She was the bronze medalists at the 2018 African Championships in Asaba. Individually, she also won a bronze medal at the 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games, in addition to several relay medals. She is also sister to Miami Dolphins Running Back; Jay Ajayi.
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | 11 August 1997 Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 59 kg (130 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country |  Nigeria | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Athletics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sprint | 400 m | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Highest world ranking | 58 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal best | 400 m: 51.22 s (2018) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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| Updated on 28 February 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
She was a finalist in the 400 metres at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and went on to anchor the Nigerian 4 × 400 m relay quartet (Patience George, Glory Nathaniel, Praise Idamadudu, Ajayi) to a silver medal behind Jamaica.[citation needed]
She finished second at the 2017 Nigerian Championships in a then personal best of 51.57 s behind Patience George.[3] She made the semifinals of the 400 metres at the 2017 IAAF World Championships. Her personal best in the event is 51.22 seconds set in Abuja at the 2018 Abuja Golden League.[4]
In 2021, she became the first woman in the history of Drake University to represent the school in track and field at the Olympic Games.[5]
International competitions
edit| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Representing Nigeria
| |||||
| 2014 | World Junior Championships | Eugene, United States | 5th | 4 × 400 m relay | 3:35.14 |
| 2015 | African Junior Championships | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | 1st | 4 × 400 m relay | 3:38.94 |
| 2016 | African Championships | Durban, South Africa | 11th (sf) | 400 m | 53.54 |
| 2nd | 4 × 400 m relay | 3:29.94 | |||
| 2017 | Islamic Solidarity Games | Baku, Azerbaijan | 3rd | 400 m | 52.57 |
| 2nd | 4 × 100 m relay | 46.20 | |||
| 2nd | 4 × 400 m relay | 3:34.47 | |||
| World Championships | London, United Kingdom | 19th (sf) | 400 m | 52.10 | |
| 5th | 4 × 400 m relay | 3:26.72 | |||
| 2018 | Commonwealth Games | Gold Coast, Australia | 8th | 400 m | 52.26 |
| 2nd | 4 × 400 m relay | 3:25.29 | |||
| African Championships | Asaba, Nigeria | 3rd | 400 m | 51.34 | |
| 1st | 4 × 400 m relay | 3:31.17 | |||
| 2019 | World Relays | Yokohama, Japan | 18th (h) | 4 × 400 m relay | 3:32.10 |
References
edit- ^ "2018 CWG bio". Retrieved 30 April 2018.
- ^ Yinka Ajayi at World Athletics
- ^ Maduewesi, Christopher (15 July 2017). "Arowolo, Okon-George & Nathaniel win titles at National Championships". MAKING OF CHAMPIONS. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
- ^ Olus, Yemi (18 March 2018). "Ogunlewe, Ajayi & Ogundiran shine on Day 2 of Abuja Golden League". MAKING OF CHAMPIONS. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- ^ Nation, The (19 July 2021). "Tokyo: Drake University celebrates Ajayi". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
