Nigeria’s track superstar Tobi Amusan delivered a powerhouse performance at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, clinching silver in the women’s 100m hurdles final on September 15 with a time of 12.29 seconds. The 28-year-old world record holder (12.12s, set in 2022) finished just behind Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji, who stunned the field with a national record of 12.24s for gold, while American Grace Stark took bronze in 12.34s. Amusan’s medal marks Nigeria’s first at the championships and her second overall, following her historic gold in Eugene 2022—making her the first Nigerian to win multiple World Championship medals in the event.
The race was a thriller, with Amusan overcoming a sluggish start to surge late, nearly catching Kambundji at the line despite clipping a hurdle. Post-race, the emotional Amusan dedicated the win to her supporters, coaches, family, and fans, tearfully stating, “God did it… This is for you guys,” in an interview with Making of Champions. She credited her recent move to Jamaica to train under legendary coach Glen Mills for her resurgence, saying, “He believed in me.” This silver comes after a challenging period, including a fourth-place Olympic finish in Paris 2024 and doping test controversies in 2023, reaffirming her resilience and status as Africa’s hurdles queen.
Financially, Amusan’s podium finish nets her a substantial $55,000 (approximately N82.5 million at current rates), combining World Athletics’ $35,000 silver prize with a $20,000 bonus from Nigeria’s kit sponsor, Hiracer. The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) had pledged these incentives pre-event to motivate athletes amid kit controversies—Amusan herself had publicly criticized the subpar uniforms earlier in the week, but focused on performance, advancing through heats (12.53s) and semis (12.36s) with ease. AFN President Tonobok Okowa hailed her as a “national icon,” while the National Sports Commission (NSC) celebrated her as a “symbol of hope and excellence.”
Social media erupted in praise, with #TobiExpress trending as fans and officials, including calls for President Tinubu to award her an additional $100,000, lauded her for carrying Nigeria’s hopes. Amusan’s achievement boosts the nation’s tally to 12 World Championship medals overall and sets a high bar for teammates like Ese Brume in long jump. As the championships continue through September 21, Amusan eyes relay events and remains a medal favorite for future meets, including the 2028 Olympics.
