Tobi Amusan, the world record holder in women’s 100m hurdles, has sent a clear message to her competitors following her exceptional performance this season.
Amusan, 27, set the world-leading time this year by clocking a blistering 12.40s at the Jamaican Athletics Invitational in Kingston.
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This remarkable feat comes on the heels of a disqualification setback at the Shanghai/Suzhou Diamond League, where she was disqualified for a false start but ran under protest.
The Nigerian athlete, who has won the Diamond League in three consecutive editions, expressed her elation at her victory in Jamaica.
She believes she’s in top form as she prepares to defend her title and aims for a podium finish at the Paris 2024 Olympics, scheduled from July 26 to August 11.
“This is the healthiest I’ve been. It’s a pain-free season compared to other years. I told myself I’m not getting a DQ today (on Sunday).
I’m not the best of starters, but looking at how I executed today, it could have been better, but I am thankful for the win,” Amusan told World Athletics as relayed by Making of Champions.
She won the race ahead of Jamaican and world champion, Danielle Williams, who finished second in 12.46s.
For most of the race, Amusan was behind Williams and America’s Nia Ali but surged ahead in the closing stages, beating the previous world-leading time of 12.42s set by Tonea Marshall of the USA.
Amusan’s season has been marked by significant achievements, including winning a third African Games title in Ghana and setting the African 60m indoor record twice.
She broke Glory Alozie’s mark of 7.82s set in 1999 by running 7.77s at the Astana Indoor Meet in Kazakhstan and later lowered it to 7.75s at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston.
With her current form, Amusan is undoubtedly a strong contender for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Her competitors will certainly be watching her closely as the games approach.
As she confidently stated, “I’m not getting a DQ today. I’m not the best of starters, but looking at how I executed today, it could have been better, but I am thankful for the win.”
