World record holder Tobi Amusan has advanced into the semi-finals of the women’s 100m hurdles after a commanding performance in her opening heat at the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
The 27-year-old Nigerian sprint queen, who currently holds the world record of 12.12 seconds set in Oregon in 2022, lived up to her reputation by dominating her race on Sunday morning, cruising to victory with ease and booking her spot in the last 16.
Amusan, widely regarded as Nigeria’s brightest medal prospect at the championships, showed no signs of pressure as she powered past her rivals, drawing loud cheers from the Tokyo crowd and sparking excitement among fans back home.
Her qualification comes amid renewed debates about athlete welfare in Nigeria, following her recent public criticism of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria over alleged poor-quality competition kits. Many fans had worried the controversy could distract her, but Amusan appeared fully focused on the track, proving once again why she remains one of the most consistent hurdlers in the world.
The reigning African and Commonwealth champion will return to the track later this week for the semi-final showdown, where she is expected to face stiffer competition from Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico and former world champion Danielle Williams of Jamaica.
With her sights firmly set on reclaiming the world title she won in 2022, Amusan’s progress is being closely followed across Nigeria, where millions are hoping she can deliver another historic performance and add to her country’s medal tally.
The women’s 100m hurdles semi-finals are scheduled for Tuesday, September 16, with the final set to hold later the same evening.