By Akinwale Kasali
The Nigerian flag is flying high in Kingston, Jamaica and all over the world following the superlative feat of Nigeria’s Hurdler, Tobi Amusan.
She has maintained her dominance in the 100 meters Hurdles. She has just beat the World Record Holder.
The Ogun State born Athlete ran a blistering 12.40s to win the first Jamaica Athletics Invitational in Kingston, ahead of Jamaican and world champion, Danielle Williams.
Amusan trailed reigning world champion Williams and America’s Nia Ali but surged ahead in the closing stages, beating the previous world-leading time of 12.42s set by Tonea Marshall of the USA on April 20.
Williams finished second in 12.46s seconds, with Christina Clemens of the USA taking third place in 12.54s.
Another Jamaican athlete, Yanique Thompson, secured fourth in 12.59s while Ali slipped to fifth with a time of 12.65s.
Amusan and other prominent athletes snubbed the Doha Diamond League to attend the Jamaica Invitational.
The Nigerian ended last season on a high by winning the Diamond League in Eugene, Oregon for a third consecutive time, silencing critics about her disappointing performance at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest where she placed fifth and lost the title to Williams.
Interestingly, it was in Oregon where Amusan won the world title in 2022 and also set a world record in the process.
World leader, Daniel Roberts led home 1-2 finish for USA in the men’s 110m hurdles. Roberts, competing for the third time this season, secured a comfortable victory with a swift time of 13.17.
Eric Edwards finished second in 13.33, just ahead of Jamaican Lafranz Campbell, who clocked 13.37.
In 2021, Amusan became the first Nigerian athlete to win a Diamond League title as she took the 100 m hurdles trophy, breaking the then-African record held by Glory Alozie in the process. She retained her title in 2022 and 2023.
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