Fresh off her gold-medal triumph at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra earlier in the week, Amusan showed clear signs of improvement as she raced to a season’s best time of 12.41 seconds against some of the world’s finest hurdlers.
Olympic champion Masai Russell stole the spotlight with a commanding run, storming to victory in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s. The American eclipsed her previous season-leading mark of 12.40s and looked in complete control from the opening hurdle to the finish line.
Bahamian star Devynne Charlton followed closely behind in 12.38s, producing one of the strongest outdoor performances of her career to secure second place.
For Amusan, the race marked another important step in her preparations for the rest of the season. The 29-year-old significantly improved on the 12.84s she recorded while winning gold in Accra, underlining her steady return to top form.
Despite finishing behind Russell and Charlton, the Nigerian remains one of the most feared athletes in the event. Her world record of 12.12s, set in 2022, still stands as the fastest time ever recorded in women’s 100m hurdles history.
The Shanghai showdown featured a stacked lineup that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji, Jamaican duo Ackera Nugent and Megan Simmonds, China’s Wu Yanni, and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who captured the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record of 12.24s, settled for fifth place in 12.82s, while Nugent finished sixth in 12.98s. Marshall and Williams were unable to complete the race.
Amusan’s busy week began in Ghana, where she successfully defended her continental dominance by winning another African title. After that victory, the Nigerian star took to X to appreciate those who have stood by her journey while making it clear that her ambitions for the season remain high.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,” Amusan wrote.
With the Diamond League season only just beginning, Amusan’s performance in Shanghai suggests the Nigerian hurdler is building momentum at the right time as she targets more podium finishes and a return to record-breaking form.