Christian Coleman Won Prefontaine Classic but Lost Another Title to 22-Year-Old Track and Field Athlete

Christian Coleman has struck the gold yet again! At the Eugene Diamond League 2024, the reigning champion clinched victory in the 100-meter dash with a blazing time of 9.95 seconds. In a nail-biting race, Coleman narrowly defeated Africa’s Ferdinand Omanyala, who finished in 9.98 seconds. However, the spotlight might have shifted to a 22-year-old Nigerian sensation who has made headlines in the NCAA East Prelims.

Although Coleman has just clocked season’s best at the Eugene Diamond League, Nigeria’s Favour Ashe has shattered Coleman’s record. Ashe blazed through the 100 meters in a personal best of 9.94 seconds. Becoming the fastest time in the NCAA this year and the second fastest globally, Ashe’s athletic prowess is signaling the rise of a new sprinting powerhouse. 

Favour Ashe shatters records, overshadowing Christian Coleman’s redemption

Favour Ashe, who is also widely known as ‘Nigerian Nightmare’, achieved the world’s fastest time and became the first runner to break the 10-second barrier in 2024. Previously, he has also qualified for the Paris Olympics at the Florida Relays. Ashe broke the 9.96 facility record of Christian Coleman from 2017 by clocking a time of 9.94 seconds in the NCAA East Prelims.

Favour Ashe won a bronze in the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games in the 4×100 meter relay. The same year in the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, he emerged as second runner-up in the 60-meter category. And in the 100-meter dash, he ended in second position in the NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships. He created history by emerging as the fastest Nigerian athlete at the LSU invitational meet in Baton Rouge. 

Ashe further clocked 9.96 seconds in a 100-meter dash in June 2023. Back then he set his new personal best at the NCAA championship, Texas. And in less than a year, he ran even faster to bring down the time to 9.94 at the NCAA East Prelims, shattering not only his record but also Christian Coleman’s.

Favour Ashe outpaces Coleman and aims for Olympic glory

Back in the Suzhou Diamond League, Coleman lost the first-place finish to South Africa’s Akani Simbine. Simbine clocked 10.01 while Christian Coleman ended in the second position in 10.04 seconds. But with Coleman’s recent success at the Eugene Diamond League, the redemption was accomplished. But it happened to be a fleeting moment.

As Coleman emerged victorious over Kenyan track athlete Ferdinand Omanyala, a youngster from Nigeria stepped up for a counter-action. As Coleman emerged victorious over Kenyan track athlete Ferdinand Omanyala, a youngster from Nigeria stepped up for a counter-action. After winning over Omanyala with a margin of 0.03 seconds, America’s track phenom Coleman shared his thoughts.

Coleman stated, “…I feel good. I feel like I am going in the right direction and taking next steps, so now we have to be ready for the trials and I am confident I will be even better.” Fans were left concerned after the sluggish onset of his season before the Olympics. Coleman further added, “I have been working on my acceleration pattern which I feel showed today. I got to look back at the film but I feel like I transitioned really well and when I got on top of it, I feel like I got tight towards the end…” 

With Coleman winning the Prefontaine Classics and Ashe’s record-breaking sprint, fans are in for an electrifying season ahead. But will it be possible for Christian Coleman to rise above all his African competitors easily? What are your thoughts on the same?