Paris, France – In a remarkable display of athleticism, world record holder Tobi Amusan qualified for the 100-meter hurdles semi-finals at the ongoing 2024 Olympics in Paris on Wednesday.
Amusan led her heat with an impressive time of 12.49 seconds, surpassing her competitors including America’s Alaysha Johnson, who finished second with 12.61 seconds, and Jamaica’s Janeek Brown, who secured her spot with 12.84 seconds.
Amusan, a favourite for the gold medal, faces a formidable lineup in the semi-finals. Her challengers include the Bahamas’ Devynne Charlton, USA’s Alaysha Johnson, world champion Danielle Williams, and reigning Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico. The semi-finals are scheduled for Friday, August 9, with the final set for Saturday, August 10.
The 27-year-old athlete has demonstrated exceptional form leading up to the Olympics. She achieved a season’s best and world-leading time of 12.40 seconds at the Jamaican Athletics Invitational in Kingston in May. Earlier in the year, she set the African indoor record for the 60m hurdles twice, in January and February.
Amusan’s achievements this year include winning her third consecutive African Games title in Ghana, anchoring the women’s 4x100m relay to gold in Accra, and claiming victory at the African Championships in Cameroon three months later. Throughout the season, she has competed in 17 events across various disciplines including the 60m, 100m, 100m hurdles, and the 4x100m relay.
Her illustrious career includes being a three-time consecutive Diamond League winner, two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist, two-time African champion, and three-time African Games gold medallist. Amusan has previously represented Nigeria in two Olympic Games, in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
As Amusan continues her quest for Olympic glory, the world eagerly awaits her performance in the upcoming semi-finals and final.
