- Nigerian sprint hurdles sensation Tobi Amusan broke a longstanding indoor athletics record, winning the women’s 60m final in 7.77 seconds
- Amusan’s remarkable achievement eclipsed the 7.82 seconds record set by Gloria Alozie in 1999, establishing a new African record
Nigerian sprint hurdles sensation Tobi Amusan has kickstarted the year with an extraordinary feat, breaking a longstanding record in indoor athletics.
Amusan, already holding the African, Commonwealth, and world records in women’s outdoor 100m hurdles, achieved a new milestone during the World Indoor Tour in Astana, Kazakhstan. The 26-year-old secured victory in the women’s 60m final, clocking an impressive 7.77 seconds. This record eclipses the 7.82 seconds set by Gloria Alozie in Madrid, Spain 1999.
Not only is this a new personal best for Amusan, but it also establishes a new African record in the event. The accomplishment adds to her accolades, having previously broken two of Alozie’s records at the Africa Championship and African Games.
Looking ahead, Amusan now sets her sights on the World Indoor Championships in March, aiming to follow in the footsteps of Alozie and secure a podium finish. The victory in Astana marks a significant turnaround for Amusan, who faced controversies in 2023.
That year, she was provisionally suspended for missing three drug tests within 12 months, a suspension lifted just days before the World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Hungary. Despite setbacks, Amusan rebounded by winning her third consecutive Diamond League trophy in Eugene, Oregon, setting a world record in the semi-final with a time of 12.12 seconds.
While her 2023 World Championship title was relinquished to Jamaica’s Danielle Williams, Amusan continued her success by clinching gold at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games in the 100m hurdles and the 4x100m relays.
As the Paris Olympics loom, Tobi Amusan enters June 2024 to secure her first-ever Olympic medal, building on her remarkable achievements in the world of hurdles.
Discussion about this post