Nigeria’s track sensation, Tobi Amusan, on Monday secured the country’s first medal at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, after clinching silver in the women’s 100m hurdles final.
Amusan, the 2022 world champion, crossed the finish line in 12.29 seconds, narrowly behind Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji, who stunned the field to win gold in a national record of 12.24 seconds. The United States’ Grace Stark claimed bronze with 12.34 seconds, while Nigeria’s Masai Russell finished fourth.
Earlier in the day, Amusan had raised expectations after winning her semifinal heat in 12.36 seconds, setting the stage for a highly anticipated final. Despite her strong start, she was edged out in the last meters by Kambundji’s surge.
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The medal not only reaffirms Amusan’s standing among the world’s elite hurdlers but also provides a much-needed morale boost for Team Nigeria, which had been chasing podium finishes in Tokyo.
Speaking after the race, an emotional Amusan expressed gratitude to her team and supporters, while acknowledging the challenges athletes face, including the controversy over substandard kits supplied to Nigeria’s contingent.
The silver medal adds to Amusan’s glittering career, which includes her historic world title in 2022 and multiple records in sprint hurdles.
