Budapest and its surrounding areas erupted into jubilation as Tobi Amusan, the World Record holder in the 100m hurdles, blazed her way to the final at the ongoing 19th World Athletics Championships.
The spirited victory revitalized the Nigerian camp, which had experienced a lull since Ese Brume’s near-miss podium finish on Monday in the women’s long jump event.
Amusan’s journey to the final was a testament to her prowess, particularly following last month’s provisional suspension by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for Whereabouts Failures.
However, her clearance by a panel of arbitrators paved the way for her impressive performance, outshining rivals including America’s Masai Russell, Hungary’s Luca Kozak, Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent, and Australia’s Celeste Mucci.
Taking to lane 7 in heat 2, Amusan swiftly outpaced her competitors, leaving Nadine Visser of The Netherlands (lane 6) and Cyrena Samba-Mayela of France (lane 8) trailing. With Ackera Nugent of Jamaica leading in lane 5, Amusan exhibited a surge of speed, maintaining her lead before triumphantly crossing the finish line at 12.56 seconds.
The stadium erupted with applause, acknowledging Amusan’s remarkable feat. Nugent secured second place in 12.60 seconds, while the American contender, Russell, encountered hurdles she couldn’t overcome, failing to complete the race.
Amusan’s title defense commenced with a stellar 12.48 run on Tuesday at Budapest’s National Athletics Stadium, marking the second-fastest time in the initial round.
As she solidified her place in the final for the third consecutive time, the athlete hailing from Ogun State sets her sights on Thursday’s final. There, she aspires to replicate the lightning that struck last year in Oregon, United States, where she clinched the World title.
Amusan’s track record shines brightly, as she had previously defended her successes at the Nigerian and African Championships, alongside triumphs at the Commonwealth and Diamond Leagues.
Reflecting on her victory, Tobi Amusan humbly remarked, “I am grateful to God.
The important thing is getting to the final.” Amidst the elation, her triumph resonates as a testament to the dedication, skill, and unwavering spirit of an accomplished athlete.
