By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigerian athlete, Tobi Amusan, has made Nigerians proud yet again as she set a new record by winning the 100 meters hurdles gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, the United Kingdom.
The 25-year-old clocked 12.30 seconds to set a new games record on Sunday morning (August 7) at the Alexander Stadium, increasing the number of medals won at the competition.
This is coming two weeks after she became the first Nigerian athlete to win a World Athletics Championship gold as she stormed to victory in the women’s 100m hurdles in Oregon, USA.
Amusan, who had obliterated the world record in an astonishing semi-final where she clocked 12.12 seconds, powered over the line at Hayward Field in 12.06 seconds.
Her winning time will not be recognised as a world record, however, due to a strong wind-assisted win of 2.5 meters per second.
Jamaica’s Britany Anderson took silver in 12.23 seconds, while Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico claimed bronze in 12.23 seconds.
Amusan had produced a jaw-dropping world record in the semi-finals, smashing the previous best mark of 12.20 seconds held by Keni Harrison of the United States in 2016.
“Honestly, I believe in my abilities but I was not expecting a world record at these championships,” Amusan said after her final victory. “The goal is always just to execute well and get the win. So the world record is a bonus. I knew I had it in me but I could not believe it when I saw it on the screen after the semis.
“Before the final, I just tried to stay calm and to do my best. I took a deep breath knowing that I have some goals to accomplish and it worked pretty well. I knew it was very fast but not this fast.”
Many Nigerians have expressed delight over her performance in the contest.
Dipo Olowookere