Nigerian Tobi Amusan has stormed to victory at the 100 metres hurdles final at the World Championships held in Eugene, United States, becoming the first athlete from her country to win gold at such an event.
The 25-year-old’s 12.06-second performance on Sunday was
initially announced as a world record, but was later ruled ineligible as the
wind speed exceeded the legal limit.
Amusan had broken the world record earlier in the day by clocking 12.12 seconds in the semi-final at Hayward Field.
Breaks world record (12.12) in the semis ✔️
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) July 25, 2022
Storms to world 100m hurdles title in the final ✔️
Tobi Amusan 🇳🇬 is on another planet 🪐#WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/3hf37HAvEp
In the final, she recovered from a slightly slower start to
put on a pristine performance over the barriers, 0.17 seconds clear of silver
medallist Britany Anderson of Jamaica.
“The goal was to come out and to win this gold,” said
Amusan.
“I believe in my abilities, but I was not expecting a world
record at these championships. You know, the goal is always just to execute
well and get the win. So the world record is a bonus.”
Puerto Rico’s Olympic champion Camacho-Quinn accelerated at
the midway mark but lost a close battle with Anderson over the final strides
after hitting the last hurdle, going home with bronze in her first World
Championships.
“I got my nerves, to be honest. It kind of showed on my
face, but I am just glad to come out here,” said Camacho-Quinn.
“From this point on, it is only going to be faster … I think
we had the best event of the whole world champs.”
Anderson told reporters she was pleased with her
performance, despite clipping some hurdles.
“I feel like everyone is so excited now,” she said. “I came
out here to do what I had to do, and I did it.”
The final was without 2019 champion Nia Ali and medal
contender Alaysha Johnson, both of the United States, after they hit hurdles
and crashed out in the opening round.
US Olympic silver medallist Kendra Harrison, whose 2016 record Amusan broke in the semi-final, was disqualified.

