Tobi Amusan could hardly contain her excitement as she spoke to journalists after producing two of the greatest moments of the Oregon 2022 World Athletics Championships on the final day of the event today.
The Nigerian star broke the 100m hurdles world record of 12.20s (set by USA’s Keni Harrison in 2016) by returning a stunning 12.12s in the semi-finals to become the first woman in history to run the distance under 12.20s.
She then crowned her effort by winning the final, claiming her and Nigeria’s first-ever World Athletics Championships gold in what would have been a second world record of the day (12.06s) but for excessive wind which rendered the incredible time illegal.
For her effort, a beaming but emotional Amusan was presented with a cheque of $100,000 (about N60 million) by World Athletics and sponsors TDK as her reward for setting a new world record.
The cheque was given to Amusan after the Nigerian national anthem was played at the medal presentation, during which the 25-year-old could not hold back the tears of joy.
“It’s been a journey and I’m thankful to God for keeping me healthy,” Amusan said after the astonishing final race.
“I couldn’t be more thankful than to have come here with a win and a world record.
“It’s crazy. It’s crazy!”
Amusan had been agonisingly close to the podium in her last two global appearances, finishing fourth in both the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar in 2019 and the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and she admitted that her objective in Oregon was to first reach the final and try again for a medal.
“Coming into the semis, I knew it was a competitive field. So the goal was to execute and survive to the finals. And seeing the world record I’m like yes, yes!” she explained.
“But I had to keep my composure for the fans. I think I handled that pretty good and I’m thankful to God.”
Amusan is one of only three athletes to have set world records in Oregon, joining USA’s Sydney McLaughlin (women’s 400m hurdles) and Sweden’s Armand Duplantis (men’s pole vault).
