AmusanTakes Silver as Kambundji Makes History in 100m Hurdles

Nigeria’s sprint queen, Tobi Amusan, secured a silver medal in the women’s 100 metres hurdles at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Monday, finishing just behind Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji, who produced a stunning run to claim gold in record-breaking fashion.

Kambundji, only 23, stormed to the line in 12.24 seconds, a new national record, to hand Switzerland its first-ever world title in the event. Amusan, the reigning world record holder and 2022 champion, followed closely in 12.29 seconds, earning Nigeria’s 12th medal in the history of the Championships.

The bronze medal went to American Grace Stark, who clocked 12.34 seconds, while her compatriot Masai Russell finished fourth in 12.44 seconds after registering the slowest reaction time in the field at 0.240.

Poland’s Pia Skrzyszowska equalled her season’s best of 12.49 seconds for fifth place, edging Bahamian Devynne Charlton, who recorded the same time. Jamaica’s Danielle Williams, the 2023 world champion, settled for seventh in 12.53 seconds, with the Netherlands’ Nadine Visser closing the line-up in eighth at 12.56 seconds.

Earlier in the day, Amusan had looked in commanding form, winning her semi-final heat in 12.36 seconds ahead of Visser and Skrzyszowska, raising hopes of successfully defending her crown. But despite a sharp start in the final, she was unable to withstand Kambundji’s late surge.

The outcome means the 28-year-old Amusan adds another silver to Nigeria’s tally on the global stage, three years after her historic gold in Eugene 2022, where she set the still-standing world record of 12.12 seconds.