Ashe Opens Up On Struggles Behind His Return As Nigeria's Fastest Man

Posted : 25 June 2026

Nigeria's fastest man, Favour Ashe, has revealed how a difficult period in his career inspired his impressive return to form at the 2026 Commonwealth Games National Trials in Lagos.

The sprinter delivered a standout performance at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex, where he claimed the men's 100m title and re-established himself as one of Africa's leading sprinters.

Ashe first caught attention in the semifinals when he crossed the line in 9.98 seconds. He then went even faster in the final, producing a wind-assisted legal time of 9.93 seconds to secure victory ahead of a strong field of competitors.

The performance surpassed his previous personal best of 9.94 seconds set in 2024 and earned him his second national 100m title.

Speaking after the race, Ashe admitted that his failure to win a medal at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra, Ghana, had a significant impact on him mentally.

"After the African Championships in Ghana, I was depressed. I read some of the comments with some people saying Ashe is washed and finished. I decided to lock in for one month because I know what I am capable of," he said.

The sprinter explained that the past two years have been among the most difficult of his career. According to him, visa complications prevented him from returning to the United States, disrupting his training plans and affecting his progress.

Ashe revealed that he remained in Nigeria for a period before later travelling to Qatar in search of a better environment to rebuild his confidence and fitness.

"These past two years have been rough. I didn't get my visa back to the U.S. The fans didn't know that. I was in Nigeria training. Because of the pressure, I went to Qatar, not because of the money but because I wanted to free myself again," he explained.

The Delta State-born sprinter added that a respected figure later encouraged him to return to Nigeria and focus fully on rebuilding his career.

According to Ashe, the decision helped him regain discipline and concentration, ultimately contributing to his strong performances this season.

Looking ahead to the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Ashe stressed the importance of improved training facilities. He noted that access to better equipment and infrastructure would help him prepare more effectively for major international competitions.

"To be honest, I really need a good training facility. Since I came to Nigeria, I haven't got that. I just keep on trusting the process. So, I need good preparation for the Commonwealth Games," he said.

His performance at the national trials has boosted expectations that he could play a key role for Team Nigeria at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Ashe Opens Up On Struggles Behind His Return As Nigeria's Fastest Man

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