Boluwatife Kehinde
World record holder Tobi Amusan says she felt like she carried the weight of Nigeria on her shoulders as she stormed to silver in the women’s 100m hurdles final at the Tokyo 2025 World Championships.
Despite a slow start, Amusan’s trademark resilience shone through as she surged back over the final barriers, narrowly missing out on gold. Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji held her form to win in a national record of 12.24s, with American Grace Stark taking bronze in 12.34s. Olympic champion Masai Russell of the USA finished just outside the podium in 12.44s.
“I put the whole country on my back, but this is bigger than me,” Amusan said afterwards. “It’s a mission first for Nigeria and for the world, but I also do it for myself. I’m just glad that every time I come out to a championship, win or lose, I still show up and I’m thankful for that.”
Returning to Tokyo carried extra weight for Amusan, who had finished a painful fourth at the Olympics there four years ago. “I remember in 2021 I came here and I came fourth,” she recalled. “The moment I heard the World Championship was going to be held here, I had PTSD. But I told myself I’m not leaving here without a medal. I don’t know, but I’ll take the silver.”
Amusan described her journey as one marked by more losses than victories, but she credited her coach, family, mentors, loved ones and fans for keeping her grounded. “This is for everyone who supported me,” she said. “It’s really tough—look at the line-up we had, it’s anybody’s race. I kept reminding myself that it’s not of the swift, but of God to show mercy. I’m thankful I didn’t leave here empty-handed again.”
Amusan reflects on 12.29s finish
Reflecting on her 12.29s finish, she said she had anticipated a strong showing. “Trust me, I knew it was coming. Running 12.29s for silver—we’ll take it. It could be better, but we’ll take it.”
The Nigerian also debuted a new shaved look in Tokyo, a decision she explained was purely practical. “I was just tired of wearing my hair,” she laughed. “I train Monday through Saturday, and on rest days I don’t want to sit at the salon. One day I just got tired of going back and forth, so I chopped it off. Now no stress, no drama.”
