Tobi Amusan Claims Silver in 100m Hurdles at World Championships in Tokyo

Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan on Monday claimed the silver medal in the women’s 100 metres hurdles at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, finishing behind Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji, who stormed to victory in a record-breaking run.

Kambundji, 23, crossed the line in 12.24 seconds to set a new Swiss national record and secure her country’s first-ever world title in the event. Amusan, the 2022 world champion and current world record holder, followed closely in 12.29 seconds, giving Nigeria its 12th medal in World Championships history.

American Grace Stark took bronze in 12.34 seconds, while her compatriot Masai Russell placed fourth in 12.44 seconds after recording the slowest reaction time in the race. Poland’s Pia Skrzyszowska equalled her season’s best of 12.49 seconds for fifth, just ahead of Bahamian Devynne Charlton, who clocked the same time. Defending champion Danielle Williams of Jamaica finished seventh in 12.53 seconds, while Nadine Visser of the Netherlands completed the field in eighth with 12.56 seconds.

Amusan had earlier signaled strong form in the semi-final, winning her heat in 12.36 seconds ahead of Visser and Skrzyszowska. In the final, she got off to a sharp start but could not withstand Kambundji’s late surge.

The silver medal adds to Amusan’s remarkable record on the global stage. She made history in 2022 in Eugene, Oregon, by becoming Nigeria’s first-ever world champion in athletics after setting a world record of 12.12 seconds in the semi-final before striking gold in the final. In 2023, she narrowly missed the podium in Budapest, finishing sixth after eligibility issues hampered her preparation. She regained momentum at the 2024 African Championships, where she successfully defended her continental crown.

Her performance in Tokyo further cements her reputation as one of Nigeria’s greatest track athletes, a career defined by resilience, consistency, and barrier-breaking achievements.