Nigerian track queen and 100-metre hurdles world record holder Tobi Amusan raced to victory at the Silesia Diamond League in Poland on Sunday.
The 26-year-old, who recently retained her national title at the Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s National trials earlier this month, finished ahead of former 100-metre hurdles world record holder Kendra Harrison with a time of 12.34 seconds.
Amusan, who finished with the second-best time this season, only behind Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (12.31secs), equalled the meeting record in Silesia and also set her season’s best with blistering pace at the Silesian Stadium.
Photo finish! ????
Tobi Amusan edges past @Ken_AYE_ on the line to win the 100m hurdles, equalling the meeting record with 12.34.#SilesiaDL ????????#DiamondLeague
???? @matthewquine pic.twitter.com/UyF3pmz6Ds— Wanda Diamond League (@Diamond_League) July 16, 2023
Despite her poor start, the Nigerian kept her composure in the second and last phases of the race to win her second race of the Diamond League season after her triumph in Stockholm, Sweden, earlier this month.
About her start, she said: “I would not say that I executed, but the second part of the race was really good. I am most definitely building up for the World Championships, extremely satisfied with my season’s best – one step at a time.”
“It was not easy for me with injuries in my hamstring & my knee. But I trusted in my coach & my work. It’s all about the process.
“I just won this in a smooth style, I was just running. Honestly, I had no idea that I won when I crossed the finish line,” Amjsan added.
Amusan continues to build momentum and improve her time as she gears up for the 2023 World Athletics Championships slated for Budapest, Hungary, in August.
“I take it one step after the next,” she said. “I knew it was going to be a battle until the finish line.
“I am happy to compete against the best. I am just out here doing well, I would not say that I am the best. I came out there, I was not feeling too good.”
