Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan clinched silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, overcoming memories of her 2021 Olympic near-miss. She clocked 12.29s behind Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji
Tobi Amusan’s Tokyo Silver Eases Pain of 2021 Olympic Heartbreak
Nigeria’s sprint queen, Tobi Amusan, added another milestone to her glittering career on Monday, winning the silver medal in the women’s 100 metres hurdles at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Amusan clocked 12.29 seconds to finish second behind Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji, who stormed to gold in a national record of 12.24s. America’s Grace Stark secured bronze in 12.34s.
For Amusan, the race carried deep personal significance. In the same Tokyo stadium at the 2021 Olympic Games, she had agonisingly finished fourth, missing out on the podium by fractions of a second.
Speaking to Making of Champions shortly after her silver medal run, Amusan admitted the painful memory came flooding back.
“I remember in 2021, I came here and I came fourth. The moment I heard World Championships was going to be kept here, I had a PTSD,” she said.
“But then I had to snap out of it and told myself I’m not leaving here without the gold medal. I don’t know, but I’ll take a silver. It’s been God. The journey has been extremely rough. I’ve taken more L’s than wins. I’m just thankful that I have a great support system, my coach, my family, my mentors, my loved ones.”
The 28-year-old world record holder has faced a turbulent road in recent years—from the euphoric high of setting the 12.12s world record in Oregon in 2022, to injuries, administrative disputes, and questions over her form.
Amusan insisted this medal was a tribute not just to her resilience, but also to those who never stopped believing in her.
“This is for everyone who supported me through it all,” she said. “Look at the kind of lineup we have in the women’s hurdles—it’s anybody’s race. I kept saying to myself yesterday, it’s not of the swift but of God who shows mercy. I worked really hard and I deserve this. I’m just thankful I didn’t leave here with no medal again this year.”
With her silver in Tokyo, Amusan not only secured another global medal but also laid to rest the ghosts of her Olympic heartbreak in the same city four years ago. Read More
