Heartbreak Strikes Abdul-Rasheed Saminu as NCAA Championship Slips Away Days After Upsetting Akani Simbine

It had quite a season for Akani Simbine this year, and he set the basis for it very early on. He recorded a time of 9.90 s on April 12, 2025, at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix in Gaborone, held at the National Stadium. His mark stood as the fastest in the world—a college student stunned the track world. Abdul-Rasheed Saminu set the track on fire at the NCAA East Regionals. The Ghanaian sprinter unleashed a phenomenal 9.86s (wind +0.6 m/s), not only breaking his country’s national record but also overtaking Simbine for the world lead. What was the next stop for him?

The 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships are taking place from June 11–14 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. Featuring 42 events—21 each for men and women—the nation’s top collegiate athletes are competing for individual and team titles. Abdul-Rasheed Saminu was there in the men’s 100 meters in a field of some speed demons like Israel Okon Sunday, etc.

The man with the fastest 100 meters for 2025 could not even get anywhere near his previous record. What is even more heartbreaking for the young track and field star is that he could not even deliver a performance worthy of a podium finish. He was the fourth to cross the finish line with a time of 10.11s. Worse? He could not make it to the finals of the NCAA 100 meters.

Abdul-Rasheed Saminu (USF) finished 4th in this race in 10.11s and failed to make the final.

He ran 9.86s two weeks ago. https://t.co/NiHvF4lFIC

— Track & Field Gazette (@TrackGazette) June 12, 2025

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