Yinka Ajayi
- Born
- Aug 11, 1997 (29 years old)
- Birthplace
- Offa, Nigeria
- Events
- 400 m · 200 m
Yinka Ajayi is a Nigerian sprinter born on August 11, 1997, in Offa. She specialized in the 400 metres and achieved success at the African and international level before her career was impacted by anti-doping violations. She is the sister of former Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi.
Ajayi won bronze at the 2018 African Championships and 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games, and anchored Nigeria's 4x400 metres relay to silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. She reached the semifinals at the 2017 World Championships and in 2021 became the first woman in Drake University history to represent the school at the Olympics.
Ajayi is currently serving an eight-year competition ban set to end in January 2030 for an anti-doping rule violation after testing positive for metenolone in December 2021. Her case represents a significant setback following a promising international career.
As of Nov 5, 2026: 400 m 51.22 (#489 all-time), 200 m 23.51, 2021 season best 53.37 (Jun 17, 2021, Yabatech Sport Complex, Lagos (NGR)) · 29 years old
Personal bests
WA points calculator →Progression
| Season | Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 60m Indoor | 8.01 | – | Jan 16, 2021 | The DakotaDome, Vermillion, SD (USA) (i) |
| 2021 | 60m | 8.01 | – | Jan 16, 2021 | – |
| 2021 | 200m Indoor | 24.38 | – | Dec 11, 2021 | Iowa-Recreation Building, Iowa City, IA (USA) (i) |
| 2021 | 200m-short-track Indoor | 24.38 | – | Dec 11, 2021 | Iowa-Recreation Building, Iowa City, IA (USA) (i) |
| 2021 | 200m-short-track | 24.38 | – | Dec 11, 2021 | – |
| 2021 | 200m | 24.73 | +1.0 | Mar 27, 2021 | – |
| 2021 | 4x100m | 46.84 | – | Apr 23, 2021 | Drake Relays, Drake Stadium, Des Moines, IA - Special Events |
| 2021 | 400m | 53.37 | – | Jun 17, 2021 | Nigerian Trials, Yabatech Sport Complex, Lagos |