Nigerian sprint hurdler and world record holder Tobi Amusan delivered a stunning performance at the 2025 Paris Diamond League, clocking a season-best time of 12.24 seconds in the women’s 100m hurdles to finish second in a highly competitive field.
The race, held on Friday in the French capital, marked a major step forward in Amusan’s 2025 campaign. Her time was not only the fastest she has run this season, but it also ranks as the second-fastest of her career, trailing only her 2022 world record of 12.12s.
Stark Wins with Historic Time
The event’s winner, Grace Stark of the United States, surged out of the blocks and maintained her lead throughout, finishing in 12.21 seconds—a new personal best and meet record. Stark’s blistering time now places her as the fifth-fastest woman in history over the 100m hurdles.
Despite a powerful late surge, Amusan narrowly missed out on the top spot but demonstrated clear signs that she is rounding into peak form as the major global championships approach.
Ackera Nugent of Jamaica rounded out the podium with a strong showing of 12.30s, placing third in what was one of the fastest 100m hurdles races of the season so far.
Rising Momentum After Early Season Struggles
Amusan’s 2025 season started off slower than expected, finishing fourth in her opening two Diamond League meets:
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Xiamen: 12.74s
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Shanghai (Shaoxing): 12.66s
However, she quickly bounced back in Rabat, where she won her first Diamond League race of the season, clocking 12.45s, setting a meet record, and finally gaining momentum.
Now, with another season-best in Paris, Amusan has reestablished herself as one of the top contenders on the circuit. Her form has improved significantly, and her performances reflect the return of her sharpness and race rhythm.
Facing World-Class Competition
The Paris Diamond League assembled a world-class lineup in the women’s 100m hurdles, featuring several global stars including:
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Grace Stark (USA) – Current Diamond League leader
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Ackera Nugent (Jamaica) – Youthful rising star
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Keni Harrison – Former world record holder
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Pia Skrzyszowska (Poland) – European champion
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Nadine Visser (Netherlands) – Consistent Diamond League performer
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Devynne Charlton (Bahamas) – 2024 World Indoor Champion
Amusan’s ability to hold her own and nearly snatch victory among this elite field affirms her standing as one of the world’s premier hurdlers.
Building Toward Zurich and the World Championships
After four Diamond League races, Amusan now holds 10 points, placing her fourth in the overall standings, behind:
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Grace Stark – 23 points
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Danielle Williams – 15 points
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Marione Fourie – 12 points
The top athletes from the Diamond League standings will qualify for the final in Zurich, and with her latest results, Amusan is very much in contention for the title.
With the World Championships just around the corner, Amusan’s form appears to be peaking at just the right time. Her improved speed, clean hurdle technique, and race confidence suggest that she may once again be ready to fight for gold on the global stage—and perhaps even challenge her own world record.
Training Adjustments Fueling Her Comeback
Amusan has credited her recent turnaround to adjustments in training, especially focusing more on technical drills and hurdle-specific workouts rather than pure sprinting.
“After the first two Diamond League races, I knew I had to go back to my fundamentals. We focused on more hurdle drills and I’m starting to see the difference,” she explained in a post-race interview.
Her renewed training approach is showing results, with back-to-back improvements that indicate a return to world-beating form.
Additional Sprint Performances Supporting Her Speed
Amusan’s recent outings in flat sprints further demonstrate her rising speed levels:
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She ran 11.28s over 100m at the Velocity Fest 16 in Jamaica back in March.
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More recently, she clocked 11.18s at the Racers Grand Prix in Kingston, marking her fastest flat 100m time this season.
This flat sprint speed is essential to success in the 100m hurdles, where explosive acceleration and speed between hurdles are critical.
What’s Next for Amusan?
As the Diamond League calendar continues and the world’s top athletes head toward Zurich and the World Championships, Amusan is poised to remain a top contender. With her consistent improvement, sharp competition experience, and veteran poise, the Nigerian star will be one to watch in every meet moving forward.
She has not only demonstrated resilience but has also proven once again why she remains one of the most formidable competitors in women’s hurdling globally.
Summary
Tobi Amusan’s 12.24s finish in Paris confirms that the world record holder is rediscovering her best form at just the right time. Despite a modest start to her season, her recent performances in Rabat and Paris showcase her competitive spirit and technical finesse. As she climbs the Diamond League rankings and sets her sights on the World Championships, the stage is set for a thrilling climax to her 2025 campaign.
For Amusan, the chase for gold—and perhaps another world record—is very much alive.
