Nigerian sprinter, Tobi Amusan has placed herself in the history books after she became the first ever Nigerian athlete to bring home a gold medal from the World Athletics Championship after winning the women’s 100m hurdles.
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Amusan bolted to victory in the women’s 100-meter hurdles on Sunday, July 24, 2022 in Oregon, becoming the first Nigerian athlete to win a gold medal at a World Athletics Championship.
Amusan bolted over the finish line at Hayward Field in 12.06 seconds after shattering the world record in an astounding semifinal with a time of 12.12 seconds.
Amusan’s record has replaced Kendra Harrison’s record of 12.20sec, which was set by American athlete in 2016.
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Amusan took eight hundredths off American Keni Harrison‘s world record of 12.20 from 2016 and it’s the largest time drop for a world record in the event in 42 years.
Amusan’s previous personal best was 12.40, set in the first round at worlds on Saturday, July 23, 2022.
Speaking about her historic victory, Amusan said;
“Honestly, I believe in my abilities but I was not expecting a world record at these championships,
“The goal is always just to execute well and get the win. So the world record is a bonus. I knew I had it in me but I could not believe it when I saw it on the screen after the semis.
Before the final, I just tried to stay calm and to do my best. I took a deep breath knowing that I have some goal to accomplish and it worked pretty good. I knew it was very fast but not this fast.”
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