Tobi Amusan Launches Tokyo 2025 World Championships Bid With Commanding Heat Victory
By Odunuga Yusuf
Nigeria’s hurdling sensation, Tobi Amusan, kicked off her Tokyo 2025 World Championships campaign in spectacular fashion, dominating her 100m hurdles heats and securing her place among the fastest qualifiers for the semifinals.
Competing in Heat 6, the world record holder delivered an impressive performance, winning with a time of 12.53 seconds. She finished comfortably ahead of her closest rivals, with world 60m hurdles record holder Devynne Charlton clocking 12.69 seconds in second place and Italy’s Elena Carraro finishing third at 12.86 seconds.
Amusan’s time positions her as the fifth fastest qualifier for the semifinals, trailing only defending world champion Danielle Williams (12.40 seconds), Grace Stark (12.46 seconds), Nadine Visser (12.48 seconds), and Pia Skrzyszowska (12.51 seconds).
After missing the finals at last summer’s Paris Olympics, Amusan is determined to avoid a repeat performance and secure her spot in the Tokyo final. However, she faces fierce competition from a field of elite hurdlers, as the women’s 100m hurdles event is widely regarded as one of the most competitive in track and field.
Despite the challenges, Amusan aims to recapture the stellar form that led her to set the world record and clinch the title in Oregon in 2022. A successful title defense or a podium finish would make her the first Nigerian athlete in history to achieve such a milestone at the world championship level.
