Tobi Amusan: An Athletics Champion Par Excellence

Tobi Amusan put smiles on the faces of Nigerians after she became the first Nigerian to win a gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in the United States. She set a new world record of 12.12 seconds in the 100m hurdles semi-final. Also, she won in the final with 12.06 seconds.

The record breaker is proof that hardwork, preparation, dedication and resilience meet success. In 2016, after she accepted scholarship at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), United States, Amusan said, “Unknown now, but I will soon be unforgettable… I will persist till I succeed.”

She believed in her abilities and ran with the vision to be an unforgettable achiever – a world record holder. Her achievement has gotten her accolades from global personalities including former World Athletics Champion, Usain Bolt.

Who is Tobi Amusan?

She is Africa’s reigning Track & Field queen, born on April 23, 1997. She won the 2022 Diamond League event in Paris in 12.41s, setting an African record.

Also, she won gold in the 100m hurdles and 4×100m race at the 2022 African Championships in Mauritius. In 2021, she won the Diamond League Trophy in Zurich in the 100m hurdles in 12.42s. This win made her to become the first Nigerian to win a Diamond League trophy.

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She was a champion at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. At the 2013 African Youth Championships in Warri, Delta State, she bagged a silver medal.

At the 2015 African Junior Athletics Championships in Addis Ababa, she won gold in the 100m hurdles. In 2015, she made her debut at the All-Africa Games where she won the gold medal in the 100 metres hurdles.

In 2021, she finished fourth in the Tokyo Olympics with a time of 12.60s.

Accolades

In his congratulatory message, President Muhammadu Buhari, through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina said, “The President joins millions of Nigerians in celebrating this outstanding feat by a compatriot and two-time African Games champion, who in one night stunned the athletics world with her superlative and stellar performance.

“The President thanks the track superstar for making the Nigerian national anthem resonate again from the international podium, leaving the nation with the excitement and unforgettable memories of tears of joy and triumph; hope and victory; incredulity and belief.. “

Super Eagles player, Moses Simon tweeted, “Two world records in two hours. It does not get better than that. Congratulations Oluwatobiloba Amusan. Your feat has no doubt united the nation and a timely reminder to the world of a typical Nigerian.”

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State said in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Muhammed Onogwu: “Amusan’s triumph would be an unforgettable memory. Her tears of joy represented hope, belief and faith in oneself and one’s nation despite facing daunting challenges both individually and as a nation.”

On his part, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, said in a statement by his spokesman, Crusoe Osagie: “I heartily congratulate our track superstar, Tobi Amusan, on her enviable feat at the World Athletics Championship, 2022. She clinched gold at the global tournament and set a new world record in the semi finals of the competition.

“This makes her to become the first Nigerian to win a World Championship; a worthy ambassador of the country. Amusan, a two-time African Games champion, has continued to blaze the trail, putting the nation on the global map for good.”

Ese Brume has also done well for Nigeria. She won a silver medal in the Long Jump competition. They are a shining light to their generation. Despite passing through trials and challenges, Nigerians still stand tall in terms of achievements and incredible works. Congratulations, Tobi and Ese!