Tobi Amusan has become the first Nigerian
athlete to win a World Athletics Championship gold as she blazed to victory in
the women’s 100m hurdles in Eugene, Oregon.
Amusan, who had smashed the world record in
the semi-final where she clocked 12.12 seconds, powered over the line at
Hayward Field in an incredible 12.06 seconds.
However, her winning time will not be
recognised as a world record due to an illegal tailwind of 2.5 metres per
second.
Britany Anderson of Jamaica won silver in
12.23 seconds, while Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico had
to settle for bronze in 12.23 seconds.
Amusan had produced an astonishing world
record in the semi-finals, smashing the previous best mark of 12.20 seconds
held by American Kendra Harrison since 2016.
“Honestly, I believe in my abilities, but I
was not expecting a world record at these championships,” Amusan said after her
final victory. “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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