Tobi Amusan sets new Diamond League record

Nigerian sprint hurdler and world record holder, Tobi Amusan, returned to winning form on Sunday as she blazed to victory in the women’s 100 metres hurdles at the Diamond League meet in Rabat, Morocco.

Amusan, 28, delivered a season-best performance, finishing the race in 12.24 seconds to set a new meeting record, eclipsing the previous mark of 12.51 seconds set by Brianna McNeal. The win marks Amusan’s first major international victory of the 2025 athletics season.

This performance is a significant rebound for the Nigerian athlete, who began her 2025 Diamond League campaign with back-to-back fourth-place finishes in Xiamen and Shanghai earlier in May. Her triumph in Rabat not only reinforces her elite status but also signals a strong comeback ahead of the World Athletics Championships scheduled for August.

Speaking after the race, Amusan expressed her satisfaction with the result. “It’s been a tough start to the season, but I trusted the process. I’m grateful to get back on the podium, especially with a new meet record,” she said.

Amusan made global headlines in 2022 when she set the world record of 12.12 seconds in the semifinals of the World Championships in Oregon, USA, becoming the first Nigerian athlete to win a world title.

READ ALSO: Amusan set for season debut in Jamaica

Since then, she has continued to inspire young athletes across Africa and beyond, despite facing hurdles both on and off the track, including injuries and a regulatory investigation she was later cleared from.

Her victory in Rabat is particularly timely, as she prepares for upcoming Diamond League events in Oslo and Paris, where she will face off with top rivals such as Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Kendra Harrison, and Danielle Williams.

Back home, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria and several sporting figures applauded her performance. “Tobi remains one of our brightest stars. She continues to raise the flag high and inspire millions,” said AFN President Tonobok Okowa.

Amusan’s win not only brings pride to Nigeria but also boosts her confidence as she eyes qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where she aims to become the first African woman to win an Olympic gold in sprint hurdles.

With the Rabat meet now behind her, Amusan will look to maintain her momentum as the season progresses, with eyes firmly set on reclaiming her Diamond League crown and making more history on the global stage.

NewsExpress