Tobi Amusan has equaled the world championship feat by Blessing Okagbare and Ese Brume after winning silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at this year’s tournament in Tokyo on Monday, Making of Champions reports.
The World Record holder cruised through her heats with ease, then stepped it up in the semifinals, executing a tactical race to clock 12.36s, the fastest time overall.
She led a loaded field that included Grace Stark (12.37s), Olympic Champion Masai Russell (12.42s), defending champion Danielle Williams (12.44s), and Ditaji Kambundj (12.44s).
Medal contenders Ackera Nugent and Alaysha Johnson, however, failed to advance.
In the final, Amusan didn’t get the best of starts as Masai Russell and Grace Stark surged ahead early, with Stark’s explosive reaction giving her a narrow lead. But as the race unfolded, Amusan and Ditaji Kambundji clawed their way back into contention.
Surprisingly, Olympic champion Russell faded in the latter stages, while Amusan dug deep, producing a powerful dip at the line to claim silver — her first global medal since her 2022 triumph and World Record run. The result also delivered Nigeria’s first podium finish of the championships.
Ditaji Kambundji produced the performance of her life, storming to GOLD in a Swiss National Record of 12.24s, while Stark held on for bronze in 12.34s, with Russell relegated to fourth in 12.44s.
Pia Skrzyszowska (12.49s) edged Devynne Charlton (12.49s) for fifth, Danielle Williams finished seventh in 12.53s, and Nadine Visser completed the lineup in 12.56s.
With this performance, Amusan joined Okagbare and Brume as the only Nigerians to have won multiple medals at the World Championships.