By Amaechi Agbo
Tobi Amusan led Team Nigeria to a silver medal on the opening day of the World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest, Hungary, producing a strong performance in the women’s 100m hurdles final.
Amusan advanced to the final after finishing second in her semifinal in 12.49 seconds, narrowly behind Bahamas’ Devynne Charlton, who won the heat in 12.45 seconds.
The Nigerian superstar improved her time in the final, clocking 12.34 seconds to secure the silver medal behind American Masai Russell, who claimed the title in 12.22 seconds. Netherlands’ Nadine Visser completed the podium in 12.39 seconds.
Amusan’s silver provided Team Nigeria with its first medal of the championships as the country’s athletes began their campaign against some of the world’s leading competitors.
Earlier, Ella Onojuvwevwo finished sixth in the first semifinal of the women’s 400m, posting 50.50 seconds to place 12th overall among the 16 athletes in the event.
Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino won the semifinal in 49.58 seconds, with Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser second in 49.67 seconds.
Team Nigeria will return to action on Day 2, with Ezekiel Nathaniel set to compete in the second semifinal of the men’s 400m hurdles, while Kayinsola Ajayi will line up in the men’s 100m semifinals against a strong field of global sprint stars.
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