By Boluwatife Kehinde
Tobi Amusan, the women’s 100m hurdles world record holder, has withdrawn from the Diamond League final in Zurich.
The event, which marks the climax of the 2023 Diamond League season, began on Wednesday and concludes today, Thursday.
READ ALSO: Tobi Amusan breaks silence on doping scandal in new documentary
Amusan recently endured a difficult outing in Lausanne, finishing fifth with a time of 12.82 seconds.
Despite this setback, she amassed 27 points over the season, securing second place in the overall standings behind American Grace Stark, who leads with 35 points.
With Amusan out, Bahamian Devynne Charlton has been drafted into the final.
She will join a strong field that includes world champion Danielle Williams, fellow Jamaican Ackera Nugent, Dutch hurdler Nadine Visser, Swiss star Ditaji Kambundji, her compatriot Selina von Jackowski, and Americans Tonea Marshall, Grace Stark, and Kendra Harrison.
Amusan’s withdrawal is widely viewed as a strategic decision following her stumble at the first hurdle in Lausanne, which raised concerns about her form.
Analysts suggest the break could allow her to recover fully ahead of the World Championships in Tokyo next month.
READ ALSO: Beyond the Ring: Anthony Joshua connects with his heritage
In a related development, sprinter Favour Ofili, who has ties to Turkey, has been removed from the women’s 200m despite meeting the qualifying standards earlier in the season, adding further intrigue to the evolving line-up in Zurich.
