Tobi Amusan from Nigeria broke the women’s 100m hurdles world record after performing spectacularly during the semi-final at the World Athletics Championships held in Oregon on Sunday, July 25.
After breaking the world record, the 25-year-old female athlete also went on and bagged the gold during the finals.
Oluwatobiloba Ayomide “Tobi” Amusan, a Nigerian track and field athlete, was competing in the very first race held on Day 10 of the championships when she reached past the finishing line in the new world record of 12.12, breaking the earlier mark of 12.20 by 0.08 seconds.
She's on fire 🔥
Tobi Amusan 🇳🇬 runs 12.40 (+1.5 m/s) to break her own African 100m hurdles record and advances onto the semis.
Fastest heat time ever run at a global championship!#WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/orcQVOxpnH
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) July 23, 2022
Then in the finals, Amusan burst out of the blocks and set an even faster time of 12.06, but it was ruled ineligible with an illegal tailwind.
Still, none of that would have mattered for Amusan, the new world record holder who got away from these world championships with a gold medal and the fastest time ever in history.
Earlier on Saturday, July 23, Amusan had set a new African record with a time of about 12.40 at the heat.
American Kendra Harrison set the last record of 12.20 in 2016.
The Nigerian Athlete stated, “I believe in my capabilities, but I was not anticipating a world record during these championships. I wanted to get out and go. I did what I had to do.”
Tobi Amusan has got Nigeria its first ever World title. People all over the world have been congratulating Amusan for her victory.
The former Governor of the Anambra State, Peter Obi, also congratulated her through a Twitter post.
I sincerely congratulate Tobi Amusan on winning the 100M hurdles gold medal and setting a world record. Her tears at the ceremony podium while the Nigerian anthem played, connects that our dear country needs leaders to match the talents and ambitions of her youths.-PO
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) July 25, 2022
WORLD RECORD 🚨
TOBI AMUSAN 🇳🇬 DESTROYS THE WORLD 100M HURDLES RECORD IN 1⃣2⃣.1⃣2⃣ (+0.9 m/s) IN THE SEMIS!#WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/wbcFj0OOou
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) July 25, 2022
President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, also joined other Nigerians in congratulating Amusan for the victory that she brought to the whole country.
He wrote in his Twitter post, “I join millions of Nigerians in honouring Tobi Amusan and her star performance during the World Athletics Championships 2022.”
I join millions of Nigerians in celebrating Tobi Amusan and her stellar performance, at the World Athletics Championships 2022. Her new World Record and Gold Medal have brought excitement and joy and hope to all of us, and made our national anthem resonate on a global stage. pic.twitter.com/8wO7sF6kEH
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) July 25, 2022
