Amusan, proudly Nigerian

Tobi Amusan, a young Nigerian athlete, stunned the world on Monday when she not only won gold but also set a new world record in the women’s 100 metres hurdles at the ongoing World Athletics Championship in the United States. She had earlier obliterated the championship record with a blistering 12.12 seconds in the semi-final. In the final, Amusan reduced the timing to 12.06 secs but it was adjudged wind-assisted, so did not stand as an official record.

Amusan was rewarded with $70,000 for winning gold in the event and $100,000 for the 12:12 secs world record she set. The $100,000 is from the world’s leading electronic components and devices company, TDK Corporation, which funds the women’s world record programme in World Athletics Championships. 

Amusan’s opponent in the race, Danielle Williams of Jamaica, who won bronze and set a season’s best for herself in the semi final where she was brushed aside by the Nigerian, was full of praise for her. Asked after the race about Amusan’s victory, she replied, “Tobi literally spoke it into existence, she wrote on a board ‘incoming world record holder’ and to see it unfold today, I’m proud of Tobi. It’s a reward for everything that she has been through.”

Back home, President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the wonder girl. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina, the president said he was joining millions of Nigerians in celebrating an outstanding feat by a compatriot and two-time African Games champion, who in one night stunned the athletics world with her “superlative and stellar performance”.

The presidential statement read in part: “President Muhammadu Buhari expresses heartfelt congratulations to Tobi Amusan for winning the women’s 100m hurdles gold for Nigeria at the World Athletics Championship 2022, setting a new world record in the semifinals of the athletic event and becoming the first Nigerian to win a World Championship.

“The President joins millions of Nigerians in celebrating this outstanding feat by a compatriot and two-time African Games champion, who in one night stunned the athletics world with her superlative and stellar performance. The President thanks the track superstar for making the Nigerian national anthem resonate again from the international podium, giving the nation excitement and unforgettable memories of tears of joy and triumph; hope and victory; incredulity and belief.” part of the statement said.

Amusan deserves all the accolades coming her way. In her, Nigeria has produced a first ever world champion in athletics. She has regained for her country the glory another compatriot, Blessing Okagbare, cost her through years of inglorious cheating. Amusan has shown that fame can only come from hard work, determination and persistence. There is no short cut. Amusan, we wish you more laurels in years to come.