Tobi Amusan wins at Tokyo World Athletics championships

Tobi Amusan secured silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the World Athletics Championships, clocking an impressive 12.29 seconds in the final.

The 28-year-old world record holder had earlier won her semifinal heat in 12.36 seconds to book her place in the showdown. Despite a sluggish start in the final, Amusan rallied strongly, running stride for stride with Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji before being narrowly beaten at the line.

Kambundji claimed gold in 12.24 seconds, setting a new Swiss national record, while the United States’ Grace Stark took bronze in 12.34 seconds.

With the result, Amusan became the first Nigerian athlete to win a medal at the ongoing championships. She finished ahead of the Netherlands’ Nadine Visser and Poland’s Pia Skrzyszowska, both considered strong contenders heading into the race.

Amusan attributed her resurgence to her partnership with renowned Jamaican coach Glen Mills, whom she began working with this year following disappointment at the Paris Olympics.

“The first two months I almost quit. It was really tough, but look at it, the hard work has paid off and I am really thankful,” she said. “He’s an amazing coach. He trusted me, he believed in me, alongside my coach Lucina. They work hand in hand and this is for them.”

Elsewhere at the championships, Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel advanced to the semifinals of the men’s 400m hurdles after winning Heat 5 in 48.37 seconds. In the long jump, Charles Edward Godfred narrowly missed out on qualification, with his 7.79m effort falling short of the final.