Tobi Amusan delivered another stellar performance on Monday, clocking 12.29 seconds to win silver in the women’s 100m hurdles. Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji stormed to gold with a new national record of 12.24s, while America’s Grace Stark settled for bronze in 12.34s.
Reflecting on the race, Amusan said: “I put the whole country on my back, but this is bigger than me. It’s a mission first for Nigeria and for the world, but I also do it for myself. I’m just glad that every time I step onto the championship stage, win or lose, I still show up—and I’m thankful for that.”
The 28-year-old admitted that returning to Tokyo stirred difficult memories of her fourth-place finish at the 2021 Olympics. “I remember in 2021 I came here and I came fourth. The moment I heard the World Championship would be held here, I had PTSD. But then I had to snap out of it and told myself I wasn’t leaving here without the gold medal. I don’t know, but I’ll take the silver.”
Amusan described the last few years as turbulent, marked by more setbacks than triumphs, but credited her inner circle for keeping her steady. “I’ve taken more losses than wins, and I’m just thankful I have a great support system—my coach, my family, my mentors, my loved ones, my fans. This is for everyone who supported me.”
The hurdler also pointed to her faith as her anchor through the challenges. “It’s really tough. Look at the line-up we had in the women’s hurdles—it’s anybody’s race. I kept saying to myself yesterday: it’s not of the swift, but of God to show mercy.”
Amusan’s silver brings Nigeria’s total medal tally in World Championships history to 12.
