In July 2022, Tobi Amusan ran the 100m hurdles in 12.12 seconds — a world record — and then won the world title. She became Nigeria’s first-ever individual world champion in athletics.
Quick facts
| Full name | Oluwatobiloba Ayomide Amusan |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 April 1997, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State |
| Event | 100m hurdles |
| University | University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), USA |
| World record | 12.12 seconds (Eugene, 24 July 2022) |
| Big honours | World champion (2022); Commonwealth Games gold (2018, 2022); Diamond League champion |
Early life
Amusan grew up in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. She started out as a sprinter and footballer in school before her coaches saw her potential over the hurdles. A win at the 2015 African Games in Brazzaville as a teenager earned her a scholarship to UTEP in the United States, where she became a college champion.
The record-breaking night
At the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, USA, Amusan broke the world record with 12.12 seconds in the semi-final. In the final a few hours later she ran even faster, 12.06, though a strong tailwind meant that time could not count as a record. She took gold — Nigeria’s first individual world title in athletics.
Medals and titles
- Commonwealth Games gold in 2018 (Gold Coast) and 2022 (Birmingham).
- African Championships and African Games titles.
- Diamond League Trophy winner in the 100m hurdles.
- Represented Nigeria at the Olympic Games.
