Amusan Blazes To Season-Best 12.28s, Secures Silver In Xiamen Diamond League

In a gripping display of speed and resilience, Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan stormed to a new season’s best time of 12.28 seconds, claiming second place in the women’s 100m hurdles final at the Xiamen Diamond League in China on Saturday.

The 29-year-old sprinter, who has dominated African athletics for years, edged past her previous season’s record of 12.41 seconds, delivering her fourth-fastest performance ever in the event.

Only her legendary 12.12s world record from the 2022 World Athletics Championships semi-finals in Eugene remains superior, alongside two other sub-12.28 clockings from her stellar career.

But victory on the night belonged to America’s Masai Russell. The Olympic champion surged across the line in 12.14 seconds just two hundredths of a second shy of Amusan’s world mark to claim the top spot. Behind the Nigerian, Devyne Charlton of the Bahamas rounded out the podium in 12.37 seconds.

The race, however, was far from a straightforward cruise for Amusan. At the crack of the gun, both Charlton and Russell exploded out of the blocks, leaving the Nigerian chasing from behind.

Russell steadily pulled away down the homestretch, while Amusan dug deep to hold off Charlton, avoiding a desperate photo finish and locking in silver with a late surge.

Running only her second Diamond League meeting of the season, Amusan showed clear signs of sharpening form.

Just weeks earlier, she had made history at the African Senior Athletics Championships, achieving a remarkable three-peat with three consecutive 100m hurdles titles.a feat unmatched on the continent.

With the narrow defeat now behind her, Amusan will have an immediate chance at redemption.

The next Wanda Diamond League showdown takes place in Rabat, Morocco, on May 31, where she will look to convert silver into gold and continue her pursuit of another world-class season.

المصدر: Leadership (Nigeria)