Team Nigeria picks up first medal at ongoing World Athletics Championships as Tobi clinches silver

NIGERIA has won her first medal at the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Tokyo after Tobi Amusan the current record holder in the women's 100 metres hurdles picked up a silver in the event with a time of 12.29 seconds.

In a race made up of a classy field, Tobi got out of the blocks slowly but showed her trademark strength in the final stages almost catching the winner. Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji claimed the gold medal with a new national record of 12.24 seconds, while Grace Stark of the US won bronze in 12.34 seconds.

Olympic champion Masai Russell of the US finished fourth in 12.44 seconds, while Pia Skrzyszowska of Poland and Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas both ran seasonal bests of 12.49 seconds. Jamaica’s Danielle Williams came seventh in 12.53 seconds, and Nadine Visser of the Netherlands was eighth in 12.56 seconds.

Amusan’s podium finish confirms her reputation for consistency at the highest level and marks a start for Nigeria at the championships. Yesterday, Nigeria missed out on a medal in the men's 100 metres when star revelation Kanyinsola Ajayi only managed a sixth place finish on his 21st birthday.

Amusan, who set the world record of 12.12 seconds in 2022, has dominated the hurdles scene for three years and remains Nigeria’s brightest star on the track. In the semi finals earlier today, Amusan, who had complained about the quality of kits provided by the Nigerian Athletics Federation, won her heat in a time of 12.36 seconds.