By Teddy Nwanunobi
Despite finishing second in the women’s 100m hurdles final on Friday, Nigerian sprint hurdler, Tobi Amusan, has fired a warning to her rivals ahead of the 2027 season, declaring that she is determined to end the current campaign on a high after claiming silver at the World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Amusan clocked 12.34 seconds behind American Masai Russell, who won in 12.22 seconds to claim the $150,000 top prize. Amusan’s silver earned her $75,000, with the Nigerian having advanced to the final after finishing second in her semi-final in 12.49 seconds.
The result marked the third consecutive time Russell has finished ahead of Amusan this season, having also beaten the Nigerian at the Zurich Diamond League, where she broke Amusan’s long-standing world record with a time of 12.09 seconds, and at the Diamond League final in Brussels, where Amusan finished fourth. Amusan had held the world record for four years after running 12.12 seconds at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Speaking with Making of Champions in Budapest, Amusan gave credit to God while reflecting on a season that tested her physically and mentally.
“First, God is good. What started off as an amazing season, in between, I had some nipping here and there. You know, I’m not a robot. The body did shut down at a point. And I got back, built the momentum one race at a time,” she said.
The Nigerian said she approached the championships with a determined mindset, regardless of her results earlier in the season.
“Coming into this championship, my mindset going to the line was, we die here. I just kept telling myself I have to give it my all. Today is just one of those days where I have to bring my A-plus game. And I don’t care what happened in the race. All I knew was, look, I did it. That’s all I knew. And I looked up, and I saw the silver medal finish. I was like, look, I came in second place. God is good,” she added.
Amusan admitted that her season, which included a third-place finish at the Commonwealth Games before losing her world record, had been difficult, but said support from those close to her helped her stay focused.