World Commonwealth and African champion in the 100 m hurdles, Tobi Amusan, commenced her bid to retain her 100m hurdle title at the World Athletics Championship in Budapest with a resounding victory, clinching the top spot in her heat.
The highly anticipated event unfolded at the National Athletics Centre on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old competed for the first race following being cleared of doping suspicions by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). She won the sixth heat of the event by stopping the clock at an astounding 12.48 seconds (with a wind reading of 0.4 m/s).
The record holder outpaced her opponents, demonstrating her speed and expertise. Megan Tapper of Jamaica finished second in the heat with a time of 12.51 seconds, while Michelle Jenneke of Australia finished third with a time of 12.71 seconds.
The victory secured Amusan’s position in the forthcoming semi-finals, which are set to take place on Wednesday. The 100m hurdles champion will lead the way, hoping to sustain her outstanding performance and take another step closer to triumph.
Amusan’s path has been defined by extraordinary accomplishments. She broke the world record in Eugene, USA, little over a year ago, setting a new standard of 12.12 seconds. Her track career reflects an athlete who has constantly showed exceptional hurdling capability, reigning as Diamond League champion in a season marked by record-breaking exploits.
Reflecting on her start in the Budapest World Athletics Championship, Amusan said “It’s a privilege to be back on the track, and I’m excited to be competing at this level once again.”
Amusan’s triumphant return is a testament to her perseverance and dedication, particularly in the face of the doping controversy that cast a shadow of uncertainty over her participation. The Athletics Integrity Unit’s recent clearance of her name put an end to speculation, affirming her innocence and allowing her to focus on defending her title.
“A panel of the Disciplinary Tribunal, by majority decision, has today found that Tobi Amusan has not committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) of three Whereabouts Failures within a 12-month period,” stated an official AIU release, further solidifying Amusan’s clean record.
Amusan’s journey promises to be a focal point of the tournament as one of Nigeria’s most potential medal contenders. Her accomplishment reverberates across the globe, acting as a light of hope and inspiration for athletes everywhere.
