By Amaechi Agbo
Nigerian sprint hurdler Tobi Amusan has sent a warning to her rivals ahead of the 2027 season after ending her campaign with a silver medal at the World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
According to a report by The Punch, Amusan clocked 12.34 seconds to finish second in the women’s 100m hurdles final behind American Masai Russell, who won in 12.22 seconds.
Russell’s victory earned her the $150,000 top prize, while Amusan received $75,000 for her runner-up finish.
The result marked the third consecutive occasion Russell had finished ahead of Amusan this season.
The American also defeated the Nigerian at the Zurich Diamond League, where she broke Amusan’s long-standing world record with a time of 12.09 seconds, and at the Diamond League final in Brussels, where Amusan finished fourth.
Amusan had held the women’s 100m hurdles world record for four years after setting the then-world-best time of 12.12 seconds at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Reflecting on her season in an interview with Making of Champions in Budapest, the Nigerian admitted that she endured physical difficulties during the campaign but managed to rebuild her momentum.
“First, God is good. What started off as an amazing season, in between, I had some nipping here and there. You know, I’m not a robot. The body did shut down at a point. And I got back, built the momentum one race at a time,” Amusan said.
The former world champion also revealed the determined mindset she adopted before competing in the championship, insisting that she was ready to give everything in the final.
“Coming into this championship, my mindset going to the line was, we die here. I just kept telling myself I have to give it my all. Today is just one of those days where I have to bring my A-plus game,” she said.
Amusan said she was satisfied with her performance after crossing the line in second place, despite the challenges she had faced throughout the season.
The Nigerian also acknowledged that the campaign had been difficult, including her third-place finish at the Commonwealth Games before losing her world record, but said the support of people close to her helped her remain focused.
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